New Zealand suspends Tonga aid over plans to use China-made planes

New Zealand said on Wednesday it had suspended a multi-million dollar aid programme in Tonga over safety concerns stemming from the Pacific nation’s plans to use a Chinese-made plane for domestic services.

There were concerns about the safety certification for the MA60 aircraft and a NZ$10.5 million (HK$65.6 million) tourism development programme was on hold until they were resolved, a spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Murray McCully said.

“I can confirm that the programme has been suspended,” she said.

via Business feed http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1279387/new-zealand-suspends-tonga-aid-over-plans-use-china-made-planes