South Pacific island kingdom of Tonga Wednesday opened its embassy in China, nearly seven years after the two countries established their diplomatic relations.  

"We hope to improve cooperation with China, especially in the fields of economy and technology," Emeline U. Tuita, Tonga's first ambassador to China, told Xinhua.

"We believe China will become the global trade center.... As a developing country, Tonga wishes to benefit from China's development," she said.

Also known as the "Friendly Islands," Tonga is composed of 172 islands, big and small, with a population of nearly 100,000.

Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui said at the opening ceremony that China and Tonga have enjoyed good relations since the forging of their diplomatic ties.

"Our cooperation in economy, trade, education, culture, health and military have been expanding and we also maintain good coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum," Zhang said.

Referring to Tonga as "an important country" in the South Pacific, Zhang said that the opening of Tonga's embassy in China indicated that "bilateral relations have entered a new stage."

In 2004, bilateral trade between China and Tonga was at US$6.27 million, double the figure in 2003. In April, the two governments signed agreements, listing Tonga as a tourism destination for Chinese citizens.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2005)