Tongan police made several arrests this afternoon after a fight broke out at Nuku’alofa bus station.
Officers responded to the scene by Vuna Road around 2pm.
Tongan correspondent Faka’osi Maama who was at the scene took photos of the incident and uploaded them to Facebook.
He told Kaniva News he saw some of the fighters wearing Tonga College uniforms and they were fighting against students from Liahona High School.
Pacific Islanders, including Tongans, should learn about communism principles so they can better understand China and her foreign policies, says China’s International Department Director Yao Jiannguo.
The call for better understanding was made during a 10-day forum with Pacific Island journalists held in China’s provinces of Hunan, Guangdong and Beijing from October 20 – 29.
Chinese officials said their policies to assist foreign countries including Pacific Islands were “independent” and “peaceful” and there were no strings attached.
They said China believed in the idea of a “global village” and that no country was isolated from any others, despite the distances that separated them from each other.
The Chinese authorities said China could not develop its country successfully without helping countries which were in need.
They said China was still a developing country, although it had been recognised as the second most powerful country in the world after the United States.
Communist Party of China (CPC)
The Chinese leaders attributed the rapid and dramatic economic growth of the nation to the leadership of the CPC and the hard work of its 1.3 billion people.
“Without the leadership of the CPC China would not be able to achieve such great progress within a short period of over 60 years,” Director Yao told the forum.
“So to learn more about China one key is to learn about communism”, he said.
“Why the Party was founded and why the members joined the Party.
“We should facilitate our own ideals. We communist members believed in Leninism and Marxism”.
“We believed that Marxism is a science of interpreting the world. It is a science of changing and developing the world.
“So we are committed to our original mission
“We should remain committed to the path of socialism and Chinese characteristics also we should be committed to the policy requirement of the government.
He said China had proved the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics was the correct path for China. It had contributed for the rapid economic growth in China and also the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
“We should have confident in our own path, institution, theory and culture,” he said.
Because it had been proven in the past that no political parties were perfect, the CPC vowed to continue to carry out reforming initiatives and open up to the outside world, the Director said.
Foreign policy
Vice Minister Guo Yezhou said China and Pacific Island countries were facing important development opportunities.
“The advancement of the “Belt and Road” construction and the implementation of China’s 13th Five-Year Plan have opened up broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries,” the Vice Minister said.
“Adhering to the path of peaceful development, China actively participates in global economic governance and devotes itself to enhancing the well-being of people from developing countries, including Pacific Island countries. China is willing to further deepen practical cooperation with Pacific Island countries to achieve common development.”
He said China’s policy for the Pacific Islands was genuine because she understood countries which needed help because her people had suffered after the invasion of many countries in the past. Official Chinese casualty figures for the 1937-45 war with Japan are 20 million dead and 15 million wounded.
They believed China’s development could be more successful if it helped poor and other underdeveloped countries to achieve balanced development.
Ma Hui another Director of the Department said China did not have a tradition of invading other countries and this was proof it had no agenda of future invading any nations she is currently assisting.
He said part of China’s foreign policies were based on her cultures and virtues.
“We will not use strong force to win people’s recognition; instead we use our culture and virtue to attract people to cooperate with us,” he said.
“If you want to remember the basis of China’s foreign policies just remember two words, ‘independent’ and ‘peace’.”
He said China’s foreign policy was based on five basic principles. These were:
Independence
“China makes its own decision on foreign policy issues when they arise, so we make our own judgement on the merits of the matter itself rather than something else,” Ma said.
“China doesn’t make up decision because the United States make their decision or because Russia make their decision or because others make the decision, but because it is right, because it is in China’s interest, in the interest of the relevant countries and in the interest of the global community in general.
“Independent means that we make our decision on our own as things developed. Of cause while making this decision you have to take into consideration many issues.
“If you make a foreign policy you think of your national interest, but that’s not all. You will also have to think about what other countries’ national interests.”
CPC faces challenges
“The ruling Party CPC is faced with many challenges,” Director Yao said.
“If you run a country for a long period of time the leaders, especially senior leaders, may be sluggish, corrupt or incompetent and may be lose contact with the people”, the Director said.
“The CPC has a membership of 88 million and if it does not have a strict rule of discipline the CPC would be in chaos.”
He said the CPC Party has an anti-corruption campaign.
“At the 18th National Congress of the CPC standing committee held in 2012 CPC we have already dealt with 300,000 party members who have violated the Party disciplines.
“Over 100 ministerial member or even higher level of leaders had been dealt with.
“This include former members of the standing committee of the Political Bureau who were sentence to jail because of corruption.
“So we have zero tolerance of corruption as indicated by the Party discipline
“Anyone who have violated the Party Discipline and national law will be held accountable.”
Editor’s note:
This report is part of a series of stories Kaniva News plans to write up after its editor was part of a 10 day-trip to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China to the Pacific Island news media. Those who are interested in China’s involvement in the Pacific Islands should expect more stories on this here on Kaniva. Topics will include Communism, Marxism, democracy, socialism, China’s fishing projects in the Pacific, China and the Pacific Tourism, modernising China’s government system, China’s foreign policies, media in China and many others.
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The Chinese Communist Party International Department: Overlooked yet Ever Present
The New Zealand first Sports Ambassador to the Pacific Valerie Adams was welcomed at Tonga’s newest Tanoa International Dateline Hotel today.
The four-star hotel had a soft launch on Tuesday 1 to give its staff and equipment a test run before it would be officially opened by His Majesty King Tupou VI in February 16, 2017, Radio FM87.5 reported.
The hotel’s General Manager Peter Kerr was quoted by the radio as saying the Hotel spent NZ$18 million on renovation and upgrade.
“Just a soft launch today what does that mean is to give the opportunity to run the hotel in and check for any anomalies that we may have with our generators, our boilers and electricity and that would provide us the opportunity to iron up and make changes to the system….”, Kerr said.
Adams was in Tonga to conduct coaching clinics with up and coming and elite athletes and, promote having a healthy lifestyles and encourage participation in physical activity.
The 32-year-old, who has Tongan heritage, was appointed to her ambassadorial role last week.
The Tanoa Hotel was originally known as Dateline International Hotel and it was solely owned and operated by the Tongan government before it was purchased by Janful company.
However, in December 2012 the ownership was returned to the government after the Chinese company went into liquidation.
The government paid and cleared off the company’s debts.
In 2015 the government and Tanoa Hotel Group signed an agreement for the Tano’a to refurbish and operated the hotel.
According to the Hotel’s website bookings now are open to the public.
Tongan-New Zealand born Pacific Sports Ambassador’s visit to the kingdom this week was “so much fun†and “super awesomeâ€.
Adams was on a mission to Tonga and Samoa conducting coaching clinics with up-and-coming athletes.
She was appointed last week to the new role of Pacific Sports Ambassador as part of New Zealand’s endeavour to further develop her strong sporting links with the region.
On her arrival in the Friendly Islands on Monday afternoon, she was welcomed by the New Zealand High Commissioner Sarah Walsh and Tonga’s Minister of Internal Affairs Hon Penisimani Fifita.
She spoke with elite athletes, attended a ‘Women in Leadership Advocacy Programme’, and visited New Zealand-funded projects including the National Health Service health facility, and a Community health project.
Video clips and photos as well as Adams’ posts on social media showed the triple Olympic medallist really enjoyed her trip to the full.
She took to Twitter and tweeted: “Taking part in thé Fiefia Sports with the Government Departments. This takes place once a week in the kingdom which is super awesomeâ€.
“Just Play program done with these cuties. Had so much fun with the future of our motherland Tonga”.
She was expected to leave for Samoa on Wednesday.
Just play program done with these cuties. Had so much fun with the future of our motherland Tonga. #pacifictour #healtgyliving ???? pic.twitter.com/Ba098BFwWk
— Valerie Adams (@ValerieAdams84) October 31, 2016
Taking part in thé Fiefia Sports with the Government Departments. This takes place once a week in the kingdom which is super awesome #moving pic.twitter.com/jw649ADqDw
— Valerie Adams (@ValerieAdams84) November 1, 2016
When Houma people gather it’s so much fun. One love for my family from Mapu a Vaea #KaiKumaKiai pic.twitter.com/AQLLKDGhum
— Valerie Adams (@ValerieAdams84) November 1, 2016
Small snippet of our Warm up at Teufaiva. #coachingclinic #pacifictour #tonga pic.twitter.com/hpJO3Pduse
— Valerie Adams (@ValerieAdams84) October 31, 2016
Lovely reception at the New Zealand Residence in Tonga hosted by NZ High Commissioner Sarah Walsh #pacifictour #roots #healthylifestyle ???? pic.twitter.com/87IA0f4afA
— Valerie Adams (@ValerieAdams84) October 31, 2016
Pacific Sports Ambassador @ValerieAdams84 has arrived in #Tonga! She was met by NZ High Commissioner Sarah Walsh & Hon Penisimani
Fifita pic.twitter.com/Wb40CFE9Eb— MFAT ?? (@MFATgovtNZ) October 31, 2016
Four men accused in relation to the death of ʻAiveni Teisina after the machete attack in a parking lot in Vaini on October 23 can now be named.
They were Luseni Loʻāmanu, 36, from Kolofoʻou, Halahuni Taliai, 20, from Nualei, Sōsefo Malimali Vea, 19, of Nualei and Sēmisi Tangataevaha, 16, from Kolofo’ou.
An investigation into the death of the 36-year-old continued on after he died from his injuries at Vaiola Hospital on Monday, October 24.
The accused first appeared at the Magistrate court in Fasi last week and were expected to reappear in court on Wednesday.
The deceased is survived by his wife and a four-year old daughter.
A man had been charged with house-break in after a string of attempted burglaries at three different Asian shops in Tongatapu on Wednesday morning October 26.
Police said the man slammed his car into shops in Sopu, Longolongo and Tofoa before entering them.
The driver managed to escape with a TP$50 from the Longolongo shop.
A Tongan man in Great Britain who lived in Notting Hill nearly all his life wanted to become the first to represent the kingdom of Tonga in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Kasete Skeen is Tongan through his father and has quit his job and taken up full-time training as he bids to achieve his goal.
According to getwestlondon the 34-year-old had been qualified to compete for Tonga.
He said: “I’m not someone that’s been skiing all their life.
“I know I’ve got a mountain to climb, and I don’t just mean literally.”
He first went skiing as a 12-year-old on a trip when he was a pupil at Holland Park School, the paper said.
Over the years he improved but it was a chance comment to friends that set him on his Olympic dream.
He said: “As a joke I one day said I would ski for Tonga, and my friends thought I should do it but I brushed it aside.
“Then I went away on a ski trip and thought maybe this is something I could do.”
This happened less than a year ago. Since then, Kasete quit his job of nine years at Opera Holland Park and is now rarely home.
He said: “There are a lot of sacrifices to make. I’m away a lot.
“I’m currently in Austria for six weeks, then Sweden for a month and four months in Italy, before I head to New Zealand to train in the southern hemisphere winter.
“My girlfriend is still in London working and my friends and family are there too.
“At the moment I’m in a small apartment in the Alps on my own.
“I’ve gone from being surrounded by houses to being surrounded my mountains.”
And he is aware of the improvements he still needs to make: “I was a reasonable recreational skier but there’s a big leap between that and throwing yourself down a mountain at 100mph and really going for it.
Kasete has until about a month before the start of the games to achieve the points total needed to qualify, and he knows it’s not going to be easy.
He said: “I’m training every day to get myself up to standard.
“I’m doing basic technique training, then race training in a few weeks time.
“Then I’ll be racing in January.
“My coach has told me if I work hard and do the right stuff I will be able to qualify.”
UPDATED: Valerie Adams, New Zealand’s first appointed Sports Ambassador to the Pacific has arrived in Tonga this afternoon and was expected to leave for Samoa on Wednesday.
Adams would conduct coaching clinics with up-and-coming and elite athletes, promote healthy lifestyles and encourage participation in physical activity while she was in the two island nations.
While in Tonga the public were invited to join her in a “Just Play Festival” at the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium on October 31 at 3pm and also a “Coach Clinic” at Teufaiva Stadium for up and coming athletes on Tuesday 1 November at 9.30am.
“Just Play” is a New Zealand Aid Programme funded activity, targeting Pacific Island Countries, promoting healthy lifestyles.
“Adams will conduct coaching clinics with up-and-coming athletes, speak with elite athletes, attend a ‘Women in Leadership Advocacy Programme’, and visit New Zealand-funded projects including the National Health Service health facility, and a Community health project”, New Zealand High Commission Office said.
While in Samoa she will also meet with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, prominent sportswomen and administrators, plus be the guest speaker at a NZ High Commission reception.”
Members of the public have been invited to observe a coaching clinic at 2.30pm on Friday 4 November at Apia Park for up-and-coming athletes.
A cocktail reception had been organised by the Tongan High Commission in Tonga to welcome Miss Adams this evening Monday 31.
New Zealand High Commissioner, HE Sarah Walsh said that Valerie’s sporting success is celebrated in both New Zealand and Tonga.
“She is a New Zealander with family ties to Tonga and is a great role model for all of us. Her visit to Tonga will help promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle for youth and community more broadly. She will also be an inspiration for high performance and up-and-coming athletes, supporting them to go to next level of competition.”
Pacific Sports Ambassador
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced Valerie Adams as New Zealand’s first Pacific Sports Ambassador.
“The new role of Pacific Sports Ambassador will allow New Zealand to further develop our strong sporting links with the region,” Mr McCully says.
“Valerie Adams is uniquely qualified to carry out this important role. She has strong connections to the Pacific through her Tongan heritage and is one of New Zealand’s most successful and admired athletes.
“In addition to winning two Olympic gold medals in the Shot Put, she is a four-time World Champion. Valerie was named New Zealand’s Sportswoman of the Year for seven consecutive years, from 2006-2012, and most recently won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“The development of this new role follows several years of New Zealand’s active involvement in the sports sector in Pacific countries and complements the ties that exist between New Zealand and the Pacific.
“This includes the Government’s recent announcement of a $10 million Pacific Sporting Partnerships programme aimed at getting more children in Pacific countries playing organised sports.”
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Tonga’s Ministry of Health in a report on the situation facing young women with breast cancer said two to three women were diagnosed with the disease every month in the last three years.
Eleven women were killed by the cancer in 2013 while eight were killed in 2014.
Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola publicly made the revelation last week as part of an event to mark the breast cancer awareness Pink October in Fasi.
She said the disease killed Tongan women in their 30s to 50s.
These young women had families and were working hard to pursue their various careers, she said.
In 2013, 33 women were diagnosed with the disease in which 11 died.
It followed by another 33 in 2014 in which eight died while there were 32 diagnosis in 2015.
This year there were 26 women diagnosed with breast cancer from January to October.
“We would definitely hit 30 this year since we diagnose about two to three patients with breast cancer every month.”
Breast cancer month
The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease.
According to World Health Organisation there are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year (IARC Globocan, 2008).
It said the disease has been rising up steadily in low- and middle-income countries in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increase urbanisation and adoption of western lifestyles.
“Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.
“When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relief the suffering of patients and their families is needed”.
Tonga’s Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel has denied claims by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva that it proposed appointing Kahungungu Afeaki as Tonga’s first Anti-Corruption Commissioner.
“The information you have received is incorrect,” the Panel’s Principal Clerk, Rosamund Bing, told Kaniva News.
“The panel did not propose to appoint Afeaki.”
She told Kaniva News the panel would not make any further comment.
“Matters of this type are entirely inappropriate to air publicly.
“Neither Lord Tupou or the Panel are in a position to provide any further information to you.”
The Prime Minister told Kaniva News last month his government had rejected a proposal by the Privy Council to make Afeaki commissioner.
Hon. Pohiva said he had received unofficial information that the Privy Council’s panel of judges had decided to appoint the New Zealand based barrister.
He said the search for the Anti-Corruption commissioner was now deadlocked.
The Prime Minister told Kaniva News the proposed salary for the Commissioner was too high and his government did not want to work with Afeaki.
The Anti-Corruption Act 2012 stipulates that the salary and appointment of the commissioner is dealt with by the Anti-Corruption Commission with the consent of Cabinet.
Tonga’s Anti-Corruption Commission was formed in 2008 after the Anti-Corruption Act was passed on 13 September 2007.
But plans for a commission to fight corruption stalled after a new office was opened in mid-2008.
Justice Minister Hon. Fa’otusia said the Australian Government gave TP$300,000 to help fund the Commissioner’s salary, but withdrew the money after initial attempts to set up the commission failed.
Hon. Fa’otusia said in 2008 a panel of judges from Australia recommended appointing the then Chief Justice Shuster for the post, but the two next two governments did not appoint him.
Last year he announced that a panel of judges had interviewed and recommended a suitable candidate to the post.
The Minister said former Chief Justice Ford had supported the idea a Tongan should be appointed to the post.
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Cabinet opposes Privy Council’s candidate for Anti-Corruption Commission boss
