During a visit to Tonga, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern
over China's "problematic behavior," pointing to the militarization of the South
China Sea and economic coercion by Beijing.
While acknowledging China's engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, Blinken
emphasized the need for transparency and sustainable finance in its investments.
The growing presence of China in the Pacific, including a security pact with the
Solomon Islands, has raised apprehensions in the US and Australia about China's
ambitions.
As a response, Western countries have increased aid and engagement in the
region. Debt levels in Tonga, a country heavily indebted to Beijing, have become
a major concern for the West.
Nonetheless, Tonga's Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni stated that the country
was focused on development and had no worries about its relationship with China.
Blinken's visit underscores the United States' commitment to the Pacific Islands
amid China's rising influence in the area. |