June 5th, 2017 - 1500hrs
For Immediate Release

Culture and Tourism Exhibition in South Pacific Countries

Location: Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Nan He Yan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

As Tonga commemorates Emancipation Day, half a world away in the heart of Beijing, we celebrated the Opening of the Culture and Tourism Exhibition in South Pacific Countries, hosted by the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC) and co-hosted by China Foundation for International Studies (CFIS); Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in China, Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia in China, Embassy of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea in China, Embassy of the Independent State of Samoa in China, Embassy of Vanuatu as well as the Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga in China. This is the first of its kind to be hosted by BPAFFC for South Pacific countries.

It was a vibrant atmosphere fused with everything culturally unique to the South Pacific islands and its people; attended by the guests of honor, Madame Tian Yan – Executive Vice President of BPAFFC as well as Mr. Shen Guofang – Leader of CFIS. Also in attendance were members of the Diplomatic corps in addition to the Pacific Islands Ambassadors Group (PIAG) members in which the Kingdom of Tonga was represented by H.E Brigadier General. (Ret) Rt. Hon. Tau’aika ‘Uta’atu the Ambassador to China, as well as members from different media outlets and members of the public.

The opening ceremony kicked off with a traditional Chinese orchestra and opening remarks from both guests of honor, Madame Tian Yan and Mr Shen Guofang. There were also speeches by the current Chairman of the PIAG, H.E Tapusalaia Terry Toomata – Ambassador of the Independent State of Samoa to China and Major General (Ret.) H.E Ioane Naivalurua – Ambassador of the Republic of Fiji to China. There were cultural performances throughout the opening ceremony, from all participating countries including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu except the Federated States of Micronesia.

Tongan students who are currently pursuing tertiary studies in Beijing were able to put together a Tongan medley dance combination for the occasion; which included snippets of hiko, tau’olunga and milolua. The girls did a great performance and they were a hit at the exhibition. They wooed the crowd by performing with grace, elegance and pride of their country and culture. Same goes for each of the other performances from our South Pacific neighbors.

The ceremony concluded with the guests of honor, Madame Tian Yan, Mr Shen Guofang and PIAG Chairman H.E Toomata, declaring the exhibition open followed by a cocktail.

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