Antony Blinken on Wednesday became the first US secretary of state to visit Tonga, dedicating a new US embassy and warning South Pacific nations about the perils of “predatory” Chinese investment.
As part of a drive to build Washington’s influence across the region and to counter Beijing’s growing clout, Blinken touched down in the capital Nuku’alofa on a diplomatic charm offensive.
“We’re a Pacific nation”, and “we very much see the future in the Indo-Pacific region”, Blinken told his hosts.
“We really understand what is a priority for the people here,” he added, citing issues like climate change, development and illegal fishing.
Blinken also delivered a barbed warning about aid and investment from Beijing, saying it often comes with strings attached.
“As China’s engagement in the region has grown, there has been some — from our perspective –- increasingly problematic behaviour,” Blinken said.
He claimed China had been behind “some predatory economic activities, and also investments that are done in a way that can actually undermine good governance and promote corruption”.
Earlier this year, Micronesia’s then-leader David Panuelo publicly accused China of engaging in harassment and espionage, and bribing members of his cabinet.
Tonga’s debt-laden government is seen as particularly vulnerable to economic pressure from China.
The island kingdom owes China’s export bank around $130 million — almost a third of its GDP — which was loaned to help rebuild after rioters tore through the capital in 2006.
Repayments on that loan are scheduled to spike next year.
