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China–Tonga relations

April 18, 2024

Tonga and China (PRC) established official diplomatic relations in 1998. The two countries maintain cordial diplomatic, economic, and military relations.

China-Tongan relations

China
Tonga

Context edit

Further information: Sino-Pacific relations

Oceania is, to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan), a stage for continuous diplomatic competition. Eight states in Oceania recognise the PRC, and six recognise the ROC. These numbers fluctuate as Pacific Island nations re-evaluate their foreign policies, and occasionally shift diplomatic recognition between Beijing and Taipei. In keeping with the "One China" policy, it is not possible for any country to maintain official diplomatic relations with "both Chinas", and this "either/or" factor has resulted in the PRC and the ROC actively courting diplomatic favours from small Pacific nations.[1][2] In 2003, the People's Republic of China announced it intended to enhance its diplomatic ties with the Pacific Islands Forum, and increase the economic aid package it provided to that organisation. At the same time, PRC delegate Zhou Whenzhong added: "[T]he PIF should refrain from any exchanges of an official nature or dialogue partnership of any form with Taiwan".[3] In 2006, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced that the PRC would increase its economic cooperation with Pacific Island States. The PRC would provide more economic aid, abolish tariffs for exports from the Pacific's least developed countries, annul the debt of those countries, distribute free anti-malaria medicines, and provide training for two thousand Pacific Islander government officials and technical staff.[4][5] Also in 2006, Wen became the first Chinese premier to visit the Pacific islands, which the Taipei Times described as "a longtime diplomatic battleground for China and Taiwan". Similarly, according to Ron Crocombe, Professor of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific, "There have been more Pacific Islands minister visits to China than to any other country."[6]

Situation of Chinese Tongans edit

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, rioters caused severe damage to shops owned by Chinese-Tongans in Nukuʻalofa.[1][12] The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched a working group to Nuku'alofa and ultimately evacuated almost two hundred vulnerable Chinese nationals.[13]: 79 

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 edit

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 Nuku'alofa in 2006, China's Export-Import Bank gave Tonga a $118m loan at an interest rate of only 2% with payments now deferred until 2018. Much of it was used for construction, and paid to Chinese construction companies.[17]

In April 2008, Tongan King George Tupou V visited China, reaffirmed his country's adherence to the "One China" policy, and, according to the Chinese State news agency Xinhua, "supported the measures adopted to handle the incident in Lhasa".[18] King Tupou V also met Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie to "enhance exchange and cooperation between the two militaries". Xinhua stated that China and Tonga have "fruitful cooperation in politics, economy, trade, agriculture, and education, and kept a sound coordination in regional and international affairs".[19]

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 Xian MA-60 airplane to Tonga's airline Real Tonga. This caused some tension between Tonga and New Zealand, because tourism dropped after the New Zealand airline Air Chathams pulled out of Tonga in order not to face subsidized competition and the New Zealand government posted a travel advisory about the safety of MA-60 airplanes.[17][21]

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 edit

  1. ^ a b "The Pacific Proxy: China vs Taiwan" 2007-11-04 at the Wayback Machine, Graeme Dobell, ABC Radio Australia, February 7, 2007
  2. ^ Young, Audrey (October 19, 2007). "Chequebooks brought out at Pacific forum". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  3. ^ "China announces initiatives to expand ties with PIF member countries", PRC embassy in Papua New Guinea, November 24, 2003
  4. ^ "China announces Pacific aid package". RNZ. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Wen pledges new aid to Pacific countries". New York Times. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Chinese Premier Wen to visit the Pacific Islands", Taipei Times, April 3, 2006
  7. ^ "Editorial: Racist moves will rebound on Tonga". The New Zealand Herald. November 23, 2001. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  8. ^ "Tonga's Prince takes swipe at racism at home and abroad". The New Zealand Herald. June 26, 2000. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  9. ^ Paul Raffaele and Mathew Dearnaley (November 22, 2001). "Tonga to expel race-hate victims". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  10. ^ "No More Chinese!" 2012-06-30 at the Wayback Machine, Tongatapu.net
  11. ^ "Tonga announces the expulsion of hundreds of Chinese immigrants" 2008-03-16 at the Wayback Machine, John Braddock, WSWS, December 18, 2001
  12. ^ "Chinese stores looted in Tonga riots", People's Daily, November 17, 2006
  13. ^ Meng, Wenting (2024). Developmental Peace: Theorizing China's Approach to International Peacebuilding. Ibidem. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9783838219073.
  14. ^ "Roads reconstructed with China loan" 2011-03-24 at the Wayback Machine, Taimi Media Network, March 15, 2011
  15. ^ "China, Tonga Vow to Further Military Ties", People's Daily, May 15, 2001
  16. ^ "Chinese Government Donates Military Supplies to TDS", Tonga Now, January 9, 2008
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ , Xinhua, April 10, 2008
  19. ^ , Xinhua, April 15, 2008
  20. ^ "Falun Gong members allegedly questioned in Tonga" 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine, Radio Australia, June 4, 2009
  21. ^ Arrow, Brendan (10 July 2013). "Tonga loses NZ aid over use of suspect Chinese aircraft". Australia News Network. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  22. ^ "Tonga asks China to restructure heavy debt load". Reuters. 2020-07-23. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  23. ^ Luthi, Susannah (August 29, 2021). "Meth, Vanilla and 'Gulags': How China Has Overtaken the South Pacific One Island at a Time". Politico. from the original on 2021-08-29. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  24. ^ "Tonga walks a tightrope on its Chinese debts". Lowry. 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2024-03-12.

April 18, 2024
china, tonga, relations, tonga, china, established, official, diplomatic, relations, 1998, countries, maintain, cordial, diplomatic, economic, military, relations, china, tongan, relationschina, tonga, contents, context, situation, chinese, tongans, current, r. Tonga and China PRC established official diplomatic relations in 1998 The two countries maintain cordial diplomatic economic and military relations China Tongan relationsChina Tonga Contents 1 Context 2 Situation of Chinese Tongans 3 Current relations 4 ReferencesContext editFurther information Sino Pacific relations Oceania is to the People s Republic of China and the Republic of China Taiwan a stage for continuous diplomatic competition Eight states in Oceania recognise the PRC and six recognise the ROC These numbers fluctuate as Pacific Island nations re evaluate their foreign policies and occasionally shift diplomatic recognition between Beijing and Taipei In keeping with the One China policy it is not possible for any country to maintain official diplomatic relations with both Chinas and this either or factor has resulted in the PRC and the ROC actively courting diplomatic favours from small Pacific nations 1 2 In 2003 the People s Republic of China announced it intended to enhance its diplomatic ties with the Pacific Islands Forum and increase the economic aid package it provided to that organisation At the same time PRC delegate Zhou Whenzhong added T he PIF should refrain from any exchanges of an official nature or dialogue partnership of any form with Taiwan 3 In 2006 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced that the PRC would increase its economic cooperation with Pacific Island States The PRC would provide more economic aid abolish tariffs for exports from the Pacific s least developed countries annul the debt of those countries distribute free anti malaria medicines and provide training for two thousand Pacific Islander government officials and technical staff 4 5 Also in 2006 Wen became the first Chinese premier to visit the Pacific islands which the Taipei Times described as a longtime diplomatic battleground for China and Taiwan Similarly according to Ron Crocombe Professor of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific There have been more Pacific Islands minister visits to China than to any other country 6 Situation of Chinese Tongans editThere 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 rioters caused severe damage to shops owned by Chinese Tongans in Nukuʻalofa 1 12 The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched a working group to Nuku alofa and ultimately evacuated almost two hundred vulnerable Chinese nationals 13 79 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 editTonga 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 Nuku alofa in 2006 China s Export Import Bank gave Tonga a 118m loan at an interest rate of only 2 with payments now deferred until 2018 Much of it was used for construction and paid to Chinese construction companies 17 In April 2008 Tongan King George Tupou V visited China reaffirmed his country s adherence to the One China policy and according to the Chinese State news agency Xinhua supported the measures adopted to handle the incident in Lhasa 18 King Tupou V also met Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie to enhance exchange and cooperation between the two militaries Xinhua stated that China and Tonga have fruitful cooperation in politics economy trade agriculture and education and kept a sound coordination in regional and international affairs 19 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 Xian MA 60 airplane to Tonga s airline Real Tonga This caused some tension between Tonga and New Zealand because tourism dropped after the New Zealand airline Air Chathams pulled out of Tonga in order not to face subsidized competition and the New Zealand government posted a travel advisory about the safety of MA 60 airplanes 17 21 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 edit 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 Meng Wenting 2024 Developmental Peace Theorizing China s Approach to International Peacebuilding Ibidem Columbia University Press 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title China Tonga relations amp oldid 1214477077, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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