Chinese deny meddling with local politics

©  Tevita Motulalo

THE Chinese Embassy has categorically denied any involvement of its mission with local politics following allegations that the Ambassador supported one Parliamentary candidate’s campaign.

Mr. Rui Yi, the Ambassador’s Secretary, says the mission has fundamental directives of avoiding meddling with local politics. “We have no intention of interfering with the local affairs of a country, and that is a policy true to all Chinese missions abroad,” said Mr. Yi.

The statement follows allegations made by another “pro-democracy” candidate Akilisi Pohiva that the Ambassador Wang Donghua attended a meeting in Houma village supporting that electorate’s candidate, Saia Moehau.

Pohiva said to Radio New Zealand, and elaborated in his paper, Kele‘a, that Donghua also promised assistance to the electorate.

But Mr. Yi says the Ambassador knew nothing of an election campaign staged at the event he was attending. “The Ambassador was attending a farewell function for Her Royal Highness Pilolevu Tuita who was to leave for America, San Francisco. We know nothing of any campaign, and the Ambassador did not support any campaign or candidate,” said Mr. Yi.

HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita is Chairperson of the Tonga China Friendship Association, and the alleged candidate Saia Moehau is a board member of the organization.

Mr. Yi said the members of TCFA organized a farewell function for the Princess for her pending departure, and the Ambassador was invited. The allegations made by Pohiva have stirred concern among the public, not only due to the relationship between the diplomatic corps, and also the Royal family’s, involvement in politics.

Watermelon donations won’t make it to NZ earthquake relief

© Tevita Motulalo

THE declared donation of watermelons from Tongan growers to assist in the Christchurch earthquake relief effort will not leave Tongan shores.

President of the Tonga New Zealand Business Association, Afeaki, said to Tonga Chronicle that the container of watermelons was supposed to reach Christchurch by the last week of October.

“Due to a delay in filling the container because of a delay in harvest as there was a drought earlier, we could not send it as expected by Christchurch,” he said.

The organizing committee had raised about TOP$8000 for the purchase of watermelons from Tongan farmers. Afeaki said that the Office of the Mayor in Christchurch then advised that the donation be made to Tonga Red Cross.

“But we proposed another option, for two families from Christchurch take a holiday to Tonga supported by the funds raised,” said Afeaki.

He said discussion with Christchurch, on the latest option is ongoing, whilst at the same time consulting with donors to the fund to the decision.

“Even considering returning their donations,” said Afeaki.

The organizing committee opted to send a container of watermelons for the relief effort following the earthquake that devastated Christchurch on the 4^th of September.

The Tongan government led a fundraising effort, which saw more than $80k donations from locals to the relief effort in New Zealand.