China–Tonga relations
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Tonga |
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Tonga and China (PRC) established official diplomatic relations in 1998. The two countries maintain cordial diplomatic, economic, and military relations.
Context
Situation of Chinese Tongans
There were approximately three or four thousand Chinese people living in Tonga in 2001, thus comprising 3 or 4% of the total Tongan population.[7] Chinese Tongans are Tonga's main ethnic minority group, and have been subjected to significant levels of racism, including racist violence, since the late 1990s.[8][9]
In 2000, noble Tu’ivakano of Nukunuku banned all Chinese stores from his Nukunuku District. This followed alleged complaints from other shopkeepers regarding competition from local Chinese.[10] In 2001, Tonga's Chinese community was hit by a wave of roughly a hundred racist assaults. The Tongan government decided not to renew the work permits of over 600 Chinese storekeepers, and admitted the decision was in response to “widespread anger at the growing presence of the storekeepers."[11]
In 2006,
These events have had no noticeable negative impact on Sino-Tongan relations; in response to continued Chinese development assistance in 2011, Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu spoke of the "warm relations between [our] two countries."[14]
Current relations
Tonga has consistently recognised the People's Republic of China since 1998.
In 2001, Tonga and the PRC announced their decision to strengthen their "military relations".[15] In 2008, the PRC provided Tonga with military supplies worth over €340,000.[16]
In the wake of riots in
In April 2008, Tongan King
In June 2009, Radio Australia reported that it had "obtained a document" sent from the Chinese embassy in Tonga to the Tongan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassy expressed concern about two Falun Gong members who were visiting Tonga to express their beliefs to Tongans. The Chinese authorities described them as "anti-China", and asked Tonga to take "immediate and appropriate actions" regarding a situation which might harm Sino-Tongan friendly relations. In another document that Radio Australia said it had obtained, Tonga's Secretary for Foreign Affairs instructed police and defence officials to help preserve "Tonga's good relations with China". Radio Australia reported that the two women had allegedly been questioned by Tongan immigration officials as a result of the Chinese embassy's request.[20]
In 2013, China gave a 60-seat
In July 2020, Tonga asked China to restructure its debts.[22] During the 2020 Summer Olympics, the Chinese government provided some Tongans with all expenses-paid training in China.[23] As of 2024, Tonga owes Beijing more than US$120 million, a sum roughly equivalent to a quarter of its annual GDP. Tonga has requested debt relief from the PRC but has been refused. Tonga’s current repayment plan is in part contingent on an additional A$30 million support from Australia. [24]
References
- ^ a b "The Pacific Proxy: China vs Taiwan" Archived 2007-11-04 at the Wayback Machine, Graeme Dobell, ABC Radio Australia, February 7, 2007
- ^ Young, Audrey (October 19, 2007). "Chequebooks brought out at Pacific forum". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ "China announces initiatives to expand ties with PIF member countries", PRC embassy in Papua New Guinea, November 24, 2003
- ^ "China announces Pacific aid package". RNZ. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ "Wen pledges new aid to Pacific countries". New York Times. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ "Chinese Premier Wen to visit the Pacific Islands", Taipei Times, April 3, 2006
- ^ "Editorial: Racist moves will rebound on Tonga". The New Zealand Herald. November 23, 2001. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ "Tonga's Prince takes swipe at racism at home and abroad". The New Zealand Herald. June 26, 2000. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ Paul Raffaele and Mathew Dearnaley (November 22, 2001). "Tonga to expel race-hate victims". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ "No More Chinese!" Archived 2012-06-30 at the Wayback Machine, Tongatapu.net
- ^ "Tonga announces the expulsion of hundreds of Chinese immigrants" Archived 2008-03-16 at the Wayback Machine, John Braddock, WSWS, December 18, 2001
- ^ "Chinese stores looted in Tonga riots", People's Daily, November 17, 2006
- ISBN 9783838219073.
- ^ "Roads reconstructed with China loan" Archived 2011-03-24 at the Wayback Machine, Taimi Media Network, March 15, 2011
- ^ "China, Tonga Vow to Further Military Ties", People's Daily, May 15, 2001
- ^ "Chinese Government Donates Military Supplies to TDS", Tonga Now, January 9, 2008
- ^ a b Perry, Nick (25 June 2014). "How China's gift of an aeroplane put Tonga, New Zealand at odds". The Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Tonga supports China's stance on Taiwan, Tibet", Xinhua, April 10, 2008
- ^ "Chinese Defense Minister meets Tongan King", Xinhua, April 15, 2008
- ^ "Falun Gong members allegedly questioned in Tonga" Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine, Radio Australia, June 4, 2009
- ^ Arrow, Brendan (10 July 2013). "Tonga loses NZ aid over use of suspect Chinese aircraft". Australia News Network. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Tonga asks China to restructure heavy debt load". Reuters. 2020-07-23. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
- ^ Luthi, Susannah (August 29, 2021). "Meth, Vanilla and 'Gulags': How China Has Overtaken the South Pacific One Island at a Time". Politico. Archived from the original on 2021-08-29. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- ^ "Tonga walks a tightrope on its Chinese debts". Lowry. 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2024-03-12.