The Prime Minister of Tonga, Siaosi Sovaleni, has stated that he is open to Beijing’s offer of security support for the upcoming regional leaders’ summit in August. This offer has raised concerns in the United States, as the country seeks to counter China’s growing influence in the region. Sovaleni reassured the public that there is nothing to fear from China’s assistance and that if the Tongan police deem it necessary, they will accept the offer for training and support.
The United States and its ally Australia have been working to strengthen ties in the South Pacific region, especially after Beijing struck a security pact in 2022. This pact raised fears of China establishing a naval base in the Solomon Islands. China’s attempt to encompass 10 Pacific Island nations in a single security treaty has been rejected, and Beijing is now seeking individual deals with each island nation. Sovaleni recently met with officials from China’s Ministry of Public Security to discuss security support for the regional leaders’ summit.
Discussions between Tonga and China have focused on the provision of police motorcycles and vehicles to support security for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum. The summit rotates annually between member nations, and China’s offer of assistance has garnered attention from key allies such as Australia. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Pacific Minister Pat Conroy have not yet commented on Tonga’s security negotiations, but opposition lawmaker Simon Birmingham expressed concerns about any non-Pacific nation providing security resources for the forum. He emphasized the importance of resources being provided by Pacific Islands Forum members.
In an effort to increase diplomatic influence in the region, the United States has made significant efforts to engage with Pacific Island nations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Tonga last year, and the country had opened a Tongan embassy months earlier. The United States’ diplomatic presence in the region reflects its commitment to maintaining strong ties with Pacific Island nations and countering China’s influence. As tensions continue to rise between major world powers in the South Pacific, the upcoming regional leaders’ summit in Tonga will be closely monitored for any potential security implications.
