Handover Ceremony of New Imaging Equipment from the People's Republic of China
The Ministry of Revenue and Customs hosted a Handover Ceremony of the Non-Intrusive Imaging Equipment Project from the People's Republic of China to the Ministry of Revenue and Customs yesterday, the 25th August 2022, at Fe'ao Mo e Ngalu Customs Building.
The honored guests for this occasion were the Prime Minister for Tonga and Acting Minister for Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Honorable Hu'akavameiliku, and Charge d'Affaires of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom, Mr. Ruan Dewen.
A number of special guests also attended the ceremony to witness this long-term vision come to fruition. The CEO of the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Mr. Kelemete Vahe, conveyed that the People's Republic of China had generously donated six apparatuses. These comprise state-of-the-art x-ray machines and a container x-ray truck for airport and shipment cargo totaling $TOP 23.5 million in assistance. He informed guests that this equipment would significantly increase the efficiency of the inspection of goods which corresponds to effective border control and management.
The CEO conveyed that the Container X-Ray Truck is designed to inspect all imported containers to speed up manual inspection of people's goods using the Risk Framework. This framework analyses the scale of the business consignee, whether low, medium, or high risk, the type of goods imported, and the route of where the goods are imported from.
Mr. Ruan Dewen continued to support this Project by acknowledging the efforts that were put in by engineers saying, "All engineers, after weeks of hard work, have finished the installation work in time, and they will also have to do the maintenance work in the future. I am confident this equipment will promote Tonga Customs' ability and efficiency and help to eliminate illicit smuggling and bring peace and safety to the community." He also declared that Tonga and China had maintained good relations based on mutual respect and joint development since establishing diplomatic ties 24 years ago.
The Prime Minister and Acting Minister for the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Honorable Hu'akavameiliku, represented His Majesties, the Government, and the people of Tonga on receiving this handover project. In his address, he stated, "It is with particular pleasure and privilege to receive this significant assistance from the Government of the People's Republic of China with profound gratitude. These comprise non-intrusive imaging equipment to assist the Ministry of Revenue and Customs in its prime national Border Management and Security responsibilities."
We all hope this Project will continue to act as a solid basis for establishing and contributing to nation building of this small country of Tonga.
