The Tonga Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, says media reports about his comments on China were taken out of context.
'Akilisi Pohiva Photo: AFP
Earlier this month, it was reported Mr Pohiva said the Chinese would be running the country in a few years as Tonga's public servants did not work as hard as Chinese workers.
He also said Chinese businesses in Tonga have not been paying tax.
But in a press release this week the prime minister blamed the media for misunderstanding what he said.
Radio Tonga quoted the prime minister saying Tonga and China had enjoyed warm relations for nearly 20 years and this relationship continued to flourish and deepen.
