Two practitioners of Falun Gong on a trip to Tonga were allegedly questioned by Tongan immigration officials, sources from Australia Network News on June 4, 2009.

Shelley Shao and Yuan Li travelled to Tonga late last month to teach locals about the Chinese spiritual movement Falun Gong and say they were questioned by local immigration officials during their stay.

Radio Australia has obtained a document that Tonga's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will "extremely concerned" that the women might hold what they called "an anti-China gathering" during their visit.

The Chinese embassy asks Tonga to take "immediate and appropriate actions...to avoid possible harm" to the long-standing friendship between the countries.

Another document signed by Tonga's Secretary for Foreign Affairs instructs the Prime Minister's Office, police and defense officials to avoid "compromising Tonga's good relations with China".

(Facts.org.cn, June 5, 2009)