Rebuilding has officially begun in Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga - two years after much of the town was destroyed in rioting and fire which killed eight people.
A ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of $US55 million construction projects funded by low-interest Chinese government loans.
The work is expected to take three years and will include new roads, footpaths, drainage, and other civil works.
The minister in charge of the reconstruction project, Paul Karalus, told the gathering on Tuesday that Nuku'alofa would once again be the abode of love, friendship and peace.