US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Tonga, highlights concerns over Chinese aid

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has arrived in Nuku’alofa on Wednesday for an official visit to Tonga, pledging enhanced support for Pacific nations while reiterating concerns over the implications of “predatory” Chinese investments. During the visit, he also marked the dedication of a new US embassy in the island nation.

Emphasizing the significance of the Indo-Pacific region, Blinken assured Tonga of the US’s commitment to supporting projects that hold importance to the island nation, such as climate change initiatives, development endeavors, and combatting illegal fishing. He stressed that their collaboration aimed to focus on tangible solutions that would genuinely impact people’s lives positively.

However, amid the efforts to bolster Pacific island states, Blinken sounded a cautionary note about the nature of aid provided by China. He expressed concern that some of China’s investments come with strings attached and raised apprehensions about their potential to undermine good governance and foster corruption. Blinken pointed to what he considered “problematic behavior” stemming from China’s increasing engagement in the region.

Tonga, comprising approximately 100,000 people across a Polynesian archipelago, has become a focal point of a revitalized US diplomatic approach to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific. The inauguration of the new US embassy in Nuku’alofa in May was followed by Blinken’s visit, reinforcing Washington’s keenness to strengthen its partnership with the region.

Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni warmly welcomed Blinken’s visit, hailing it as a testament to the growing strength of their partnership. The Prime Minister appreciated the shared values of democracy, rule of law, and the respect for human rights and freedoms between the two nations.

Following his visit to Tonga, Blinken will proceed to Wellington, New Zealand, where he will attend the Women’s World Cup match between the US and the Netherlands. Subsequently, he will engage in meetings with New Zealand officials before heading to Brisbane, Australia, for crucial discussions with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their Australian counterparts.

Blinken’s visit to the Asia-Pacific region is part of a series of diplomatic engagements, including a visit to China last month and talks with Southeast Asian officials in Indonesia recently. The State Department has notified Congress of its intentions to bolster diplomatic efforts in the Pacific by increasing personnel and spending for facilities at new US embassies in the region. The department plans to hire up to 40 staffers over the next five years for each of the recently-opened or soon-to-be-opened embassies, including those in Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Kiribati.

The US is taking a strategic approach to address China’s presence, as the Asian giant has already established permanent diplomatic facilities in eight of the 12 Pacific island nations recognized by the US. With these initiatives, Washington aims to strengthen its ties with the region and further solidify its commitment to the Indo-Pacific area. The department has earmarked a budget of at least $10 million for each new embassy, indicating its determination to bolster its presence and counterbalance China’s influence in the Pacific.