BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday extended condolences to Tongan Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Akilisi Pohiva over the extensive damages caused by tropical cyclone Gita, which hit the South Pacific Island state overnight Monday.
Wang said the Chinese side is willing to do whatever it can to assist the government and people of Tonga in the rescue and disaster relief operations.
The tropical cyclone had reportedly killed two people but such reports cannot be confirmed.
Radio New Zealand reported Tuesday that Tonga's parliament house as well as several homes and churches were destroyed. The roof of the Tonga Weather Office in the capital city of Nuku'alofa has been ripped off.
A lot of landmark buildings in Nuku'alofa were severely damaged and Tonga's national radio station was also off air, with power outage affecting some 75,000 residents in the capital city.
