© 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.
