PLA gives Tonga Defence 6 million worth of military equipment

© Tevita Motulalo

CHINA has committed 6 million RMB assistance of military equipment to Tonga Defence for the next two years, with the first shipment to arrive in Tonga before August.

The agreement was negotiated by Tonga’s Ambassador to China, H.E Siamelie Latu with Rear Admiral Guan Youfei, who was in Tonga recently in a goodwill visit.

Brigadier General Tau’aika ‘Uta’atu told Tonga Chronicle that the assistance is part of an ongoing engagement between China and Tonga’s military.

“Its really not surprising,” he said.

Adm. Guan is the Deputy Chief of China’s Defence Ministry’s Foreign Affairs Office.

The Admiral conveyed how he understands that the force development of the Tonga Defence includes an increase in the number of soldiers, and his Ministry is prepared to assist training of TDS personnel.

Moreover, he said that China has approved in principle the participation of its military band in the celebration of King George Tupou V birthday in August.

“China is ready to take active measure to further promote the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two armed forces,” a statement of the meeting said.

H.E Latu recently toured the College of Defence Studies (CDS) National Defence University (NDU) of People’s Liberation Army (PLA), where he was awarded a Certificate of Advanced Defence Studies after a yearlong study in 2001.

Receiving him was CDS Deputy Principal, Senior Colonel Guo, who expressed his warm welcome said that it was a great honour for “CDS-NDU is proud of having such a participant in the history of the school.

Latu was accompanied on the tour by his wife, Mrs. Sesilia Monalisa Latu, and was given an honorary military escort to the school at Changping District, Beijing.

Defence key to swaying Chinese policy, says new Ambassador

© Tevita Motulalo

New Tongan ambassador to China, Siamelie Latu.

FORMER Colonel at the Tonga Defence Services Siamelie Latu has departed for China to become Tonga’s Ambassador in Beijing.

He replaces Mahe Tupouniua, who returns to Tonga as Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking to Tonga Chronicle just before departing on Wednesday morning, Latu was optimistic his experience and background will help him in his job.

“I have met a lot of high-ranking commanders and generals from the PLA while working at Tonga Defence and I hope those relationships will further cooperation,” said Latu.

“And it will. In China, if there is any policy lobbied for approval the most effective channel is their Defence. Once the Defence decides it goes, it does.”

Latu has served 33 years in the military, and is himself a graduate of the People’s Liberation Army’s National Defence University in Beijing.

He recently oversaw Tonga Defences’ Foreign Operations and Logistical (intelligence) Unit.

While military engagement between the two countries is likely to continue, Latu said he plans to dedicate a lot of time into facilitating business and investment between sectors of the two countries, “especially tourism”.