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Pōhiva’s warning may come true as China pressures Pacific nations over Spratleys dispute

By
Philip Cass
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva warned in 2013 that Tonga’s indebtedness to China would one day make the kingdom vulnerable to pressure from the communist giant.

Now that prediction may come true as China seeks to pressure Pacific islands nations into supporting its claims to the Spratley islands in the South China Sea.

China lent Tonga $US60 million to rebuild of Nukuʻalofa after the  riots in 2006.

Repayments on the loan were due in September 2013, but China agreed to an indefinite delay.

Kaniva News reported in early December of that year that he told a Tongan audience in Auckland: “Our hands and feet have already been tied.”

“We are now in a very difficult position to make any choice because failure to pay the loan would give China a chance to make a choice,” Hon. Pohiva told Radio New Zealand a few weeks later.

“Whatever China will need Tonga to do – that’s what will happen.”

At the time the future Prime Minister suggested China could ask Tonga to allow it to establish a naval base in the kingdom, but now it appears Tonga could be in line for the same kind of pressure to support China’s claim to the Spratleys that has been applied to other island nations.

According to a recent report in the Sydney Morning Herald, China has put pressure on Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea to win their backing in the dispute over the Spratleys.

The islands, a collection of reefs and sandbanks, are claimed by both the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as China.

China has anchored a large naval taskforce over the islands group and has built an artificial island  and airstrip and threatens passing aircraft that they are in Chinese airspace.

Neither Vietnam, which China briefly invaded in 1979, or the Philippines, has the military strength to drive China out.

The Philippines sent a group of marines to occupy an abandoned hulk on one of the Spratley reefs to establish its claims to the islands.

So why should the Chinese want the islands, and why should Tonga be involved?

The Spratleys sit next to one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, through which billions of tonnes of oil and gas are carried every year. Controlling the area would be of vital importance to China if it wanted to exert its influence in South East Asia.

They are also in a major fisheries areas and there are competing claims about whether or not they sit on top of gas or oil reserves. Under international law countries can claim an exclusive economic zone around their territory, which would cause major problems for neighbouring countries and international traffic.

China launched its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning in 2012 and sent it to the disputed area during its sea trials.

The prospect of the Chinese possessing a carrier battle group – and speculation that China is planning to launch five more carriers – caused an immediate reaction in Washington, with the establishment of a major US Marine Corps base near Darwin in northern Australia and a thawing of relations with New Zealand.

China is extremely serious about keeping the Spratleys and claiming control of the area. However, like all countries she is subject to international law and needs to maintain at least a façade of respectability about her actions.

This means that while she builds airbases and shows off her military capability, she also has to play a diplomatic game and guarantee that she can rely on countries to vote her way in international fora.

That is why Tonga, and other Pacific islands may now find that China will call in all the favours it has done for the island states.

Vanuatu has already pledged its support, but Fiji recently repudiated a claim that it supported China. Samoa and Tonga are particularly vulnerable to pressure from China because of their financial dealings.

In a press release posted on its website under the heading “Uphold Peace and Prosperity in South China Sea,” the Chinese embassy in Tonga claimed the Spratleys had been Chinese territory “since ancient times.”

Both China and Taiwan use a mixture of diplomatic and financial pressure to build alliances in the Pacific, where often very poor island states are vulnerable to offers of easy loans or construction projects.

However, the price of those loans and new roads or bridges is usually to push the island nations into supporting either China or Taiwan in international venues such as the United Nations, where the votes of small nations are often vital.

The Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Nauru all have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva warned in 2013 that Tonga’s indebtedness to China would one day make the kingdom vulnerable to pressure from the communist giant.
  • Now that prediction may come true as China seeks to pressure Pacific islands nations into supporting its claims to the Spratley islands in the South China Sea.
  • The Spratleys sit next to one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, through which billions of tonnes of oil and gas are carried every year.
  • Controlling the area would be of vital importance to China if it wanted to exert its influence in South East Asia.

For more information

South China Sea dispute: China is trading aid for support for claims (Sydney Morning Herald)

Tonga’s Akilisi Pohiva ponders China’s price for loan to grant deal (RNZI)

Uphold Peace and Prosperity in South China Sea (Chinese embassy, Tonga)

Chinese premier pledges to advance ties with Tonga (Xinhua)

What’s behind Beijing’s drive to control the South China Sea? (The Guardian)

China’s ‘gift’ troubles new Prime Minister (Nikkei Asian Review)

‘Akilisi Pohiva: Tonga is lost to China (Kaniva News)

Spratly Islands Reef Madness (ABC Foreign Correspondent)

Brisbane raises $22,236.90 for Tongan Olympian

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Brisbane Tongan Community has raised AUD$22,236.90 in a fund raising concert for Brisbane-based Tongan Olympian – Pita Taufatofua on 3 June 2016.

Bringing together a cross-section of organisations, businesses and individuals from Brisbane’s Tongan, Samoan and Pasifika communities, the night was a huge success bringing together a non-stop program of cultural performances, entertainment and taekwondo demonstrations at the Tongan Uniting Church Hall in Highgate Hill.

Some of the Pasifika organisations that contributed or performed items on the night included the Pacific Beatz, Samoa Victim Support Group (QLD), Imex Money Transfer, Digicel Pacific, QLD Tonga Netball, Pasifika Women’s Alliance, Pacific Islands Reference Group, Radio 4EB FM Tongan Program, Highgate Hill ‘Park Church’ Tongan Uniting Church Youth and the Fo‘i‘one‘one Kava Club. The rest of the night brought together young and old to celebrate, support and cheer Pita on.

Pita Taufatofua qualified at the recent Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea winning gold and the opportunity to represent the Kingdom of Tonga in taekwondo at the upcoming OIympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 5 to 21 of August 2016.

According to Brisbane Tongan journalist, Sulieni Layt, the idea for the fundraiser night was first conceived when Sulieni and his colleague Mele Ngauamo conducted a radio interview with Pita and his coach, taekwondo master Paula Sitapa, on the Radio 4EB FM – Voice of Tonga program.

“We were inspired by Pita’s story and his dream of representing the Kingdom of Tonga at the Olympic Games, despite the many challenges and barriers he had encountered along the way,” Sulieni said.

“Perhaps what resonated most with us was his Christian faith and determination, combined with the fact that he is essentially self-funded,” he added.

Given Pita’s father, Pita Taufatofua Sr, heralds from Kotu in Ha‘apai, the organisers approached the Brisbane Fo‘i‘one‘one Kava Club who were more than enthusiastic to assist in hosting the packed concert to provide Pita and his coach with some much-needed financial relief in reaching their Olympic dream, whilst providing a platform that united the Tongan and greater multicultural communities of Brisbane.

A special guest included the Acting High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga from Canberra, Mr. Leonaitasi Kuluni, who represented the Tongan Government and the current Tonga High Commissioner, HRH Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku‘aho.

The organisers are forever grateful to those individuals who donated their time and services on the night, not to mention the overwhelming support from the Brisbane Tongan and Samoan communities. Together they join forces to wish Pita Taufatofua all the best at Rio 2016!

New chairman for Tonga’s whole house committee

By
Alpha Latu
-

Penisimani Fifita the MP for Tongatapu 9 constituency has been elected in Parliament today as the new chairman of the Whole House Committee.

He got 13 votes against the Haʻapai 12 MP Vili Hingano who only got 9 votes.

“Meanwhile the former Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Semisi Sika was sworn in as the new Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure”, a statement from Tonga’s Legislative Assembly said.

Fifita was a former government teacher and tutor at high schools before he was first elected to Parliament in 2014.

The king opened the Legislative Assembly last Thursday.

Candidates should not buy votes, by-election candidate Siale says ahead of July poll

By
Kalino Latu
-

A candidate for Vavaʻu 16 by-election is calling on potential candidates to respect the rule of law and refrain from buying voters’ votes.

ʻIpeni Siale told Kaniva News voters should understand their votes could be void if they were made because of bribery or any illegal activities.

Voters should vote according to their “will and conscience,” Siale said.

The by-election will be held on July 14.

The Vavaʻu 16 by-election was called after MP ʻEtuate Lavulavu lost his Parliamentary seat after he was convicted of committing bribery during the 2014 election campaign.

Siale said he believed the only way to build the nation was through “honesty” and “trust in God”.

He was nominated to run for the Democratic Party in the 2014 election.

He came third with 346 votes compared to Lavulavu’s 767.

Siale said bribery by other candidates was the most difficult issue he faced while he was campaigning in 2014.

The Democratic Party has not announced who it is going to nominate for the upcoming by-election, but Siale said he would discuss the issue with Party leader and Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Siale said he would return to Tonga next week.

The Election Office has not officially announced the registration date for the candidates.

Tonga does not have a party system, but candidates can declare themselves to be a party if they want to campaign together and address specific political issues.

Siale was a strong supporter of Pohiva and the Democratic movement in Tonga.

He was elected to Parliament in 1997, but lost his seat because he was sued for running for Parliament without a Tongan passport. He moved to the United States where he lives with his family.

The Party

The Democratic Party won only nine seats in the last election. However, five of the independent candidates joined it after the election, making it the majority to become the government and elect the Prime Minister.

However, turmoil erupted within the Party after leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s newspaper Kele’a ran a controversial list of candidates that dumped some of the key Party MP including Sione Taione and Sitiveni Halapua.

The Party’s Deputy Leader, ‘Isileli Pulu, immediately appeared on Kaniva News and blasted the paper’s list, saying it was not endorsed by the party and it was just made up by Pohiva’s son-in-law who was the then editor of the paper.

Pulu was included in the paper’s list, but he and another party MP Falisi Tupou were later removed from the list after they repeatedly appeared on media and criticised Pōhiva for endorsing the list his paper had published.

Of all the candidates the paper listed for Niuas, Haʻapai and Vavaʻu, only the Haʻapai 13 candidate was elected to Parliament.

The main points

  • A candidate for Vavaʻu 16 by-election is calling on potential candidates to respect the rule of law and refrain from buying voters’ votes.
  • ʻIpeni Siale told Kaniva News voters should understand their votes could be void if they were made because of bribery or any illegal activities.
  • Voters should vote according to their “will and conscience,” Siale said.
  • The by-election will be held on July 14.

For more information

King revokes ʻEtuate Lavulavu as Minister of Tourism (Kaniva News)

Floating rubbish washed up on Faua waterfront

By
Kalino Latu
-

Concerns have been raised after floating litter were found washed up at the waterfront on Faua wharf Saturday 4.

Plastic, tin cans and discarded household items can be seen amongst the detritus.

Photos taken at the scene were uploaded to Facebook by Tino Tatafu, who wrote in Tongan that what he had seen showed “the habit of living with dirty (fakapuopuaka)” and “unhygienic”.

Tatafu, a Tongan born but now residing in Australia also warned that his friends who are tourists from the continent might not come to Tonga if this is the way how the waterfront looks like.

He told Kaniva News he was in Tonga when he spotted the litter.

The floating trash was reported after the Prime Minister of Tonga ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was seen picking up rubbish at one of the public places in Nukuʻalofa in March.

Since Pōhiva became the kingdom’s  prime minister he repeatedly announced his policy to keep the country clean and stressed the importance of educating the public about how to keep and maintain public places in clean conditions.

In 2015 the government spent TP$200,000 (NZ$136,000) in a projct to dispose of derelict ships in Faua Harbour in Nukuʻalofa.

The Prime Minister said it was important to have the Nukuʻalofa waterfront clean not only for the Tongans but for the thousands of tourists from overseas who arrive in Tonga every year.

READ MORE:

Tonga Prime Minister picks up rubbish at a public place

New images reveal Port Authority Tonga massive clean-up operations

Derelict vessels leaking chemicals in Faua Harbour as massive clean-up operation begins

The day Muhammed Ali gave Tongan boxing champ Wolfgramme a word of advice

By
Philip Cass
-

World heavyweight boxing champion Mohammed Ali, who died today, gave Tongan boxer Paea Wolfgramme some advice he has never forgotten.

Following the news of Ali’s death this afternoon Wolfgramme, who became the first Tongan to win an Olympic medal, recalled how he met Ali, the greatest boxer of the 20th century.

Wolfgramme, who won the Super Heayweight silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, posted a photograph of himself, Ali and his son at Atlanta airport after the Games on Facebook this afternoon.

Kaniva News has used Wolfgramme’s comments with his permission.

“I first saw the long fibreglass cane being held by a well-dressed man in a quiet corner,” Wolfgramme recalled.
“ ‘He looks a lot like Muhammad Ali.’ I thought. My young son also saw the glass cane and wandered over for closer look.

“As I walked closer myself, my eyes got wider along with my mouth. It had to be him. I stood there awestruck, not knowing what to say.

“Ali turned and immediately started playing with my boy, ignoring me. He threw short slow jabs at his stomach, changing it to playful tickle at the last moment.

“Without looking at me he said in the slow, sad, struggling drawl: ‘You a fighter?’ ”

“Yes sir,” I replied, with all the respect I could muster.

“He carried on playing with my son for a few more moment. Then he looked up for the first time.

“That boyish, handsome face I had grown up was now a still, unmoving, mask. His mouth famous for never stopping, now hardly moved. He said:”Get yourself a jab…you can’t fight without it.”

Wolfgramme was the flag bearer for the Tongan team at the Atlanta Olympics. After the Games he turned professional, winning 20 games and losing four.

He now lives in Auckland.

Ali, 74, died in Phoenix, Arizona. From respiratory complications. He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease since 1984.

The main points

  • World heavyweight boxing champion Mohammed Ali, who died today, gave Tongan boxer Paea Wolfgramme some advice he has never forgotten.
  • Following the news of Ali’s death this afternoon Wolfgramme, who became the first Tongan to win an Olympic medal, recalled how he met Ali.
  • “That boyish, handsome face I had grown up was now a still, unmoving, mask,”Wolfgramme wrote in a Facebook tribute.
  • “He said:”Get yourself a jab…you can’t fight without it.”

Former Deputy PM Vaipuilu helped into Parliament during opening ceremony

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s former Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Vava’u 15, Samiu Vaipulu, was helped into Parliament by staff on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the Legislative Assembly.

Hon. Vaipulu held a staff member’s right hand while they were walking through the entrance and into the House.

Kaniva News has been reliably informed Hon. Vaipulu was rushed to hospital last month after concern that he might have suffered a possible stroke.

He was released after spending some time in hospital.

Last week Hon Vaipulu was seen limping with a walking stick as he moved towards a lectern to make a speech during Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday celebration at Kuini Salote Memorial Hall.

Hon. Vaipulu is related to the Queen Mother through their Blake ancestors.

He was visibly and audibly having difficulty while trying to convey his speech.

At one stage during his speech he had to be abruptly supported by the Master of Ceremonies Polutele Tu’ihalamaka, after he tried to adjust his footing and appeared to nearly fall back.

Vaipulu
Hon Vaipulu (second from left)  was seen limping with a walking stick as he moved towards a lectern to make a speech. Photo/Youtube (Paula Moimoi Lātū)

He was emotional at the beginning of his speech and at some stages he was crying. He told hundreds of the spectators in the hall with the Queen Mother and the royals that he had been advised by his wife to cancel his speech because of his condition, but he did not accept her advice.

Hon. Vaipulu was the first commoner elected by the people after the kingdom became a democracy in 2010 in which he was later appointed Deputy Prime Minister.

While serving in the previous government Hon. Vaipulu was instrumental in bringing the controversial Chinese MA60 aircraft to Tonga in 2013.

The New Zealand government warned its citizens visiting Tonga that they would fly in the MA60 at their own risk. The MA60 has been involved in several incidents around the world.

The New Zealand government suspended NZ$8 million in tourism aid to Tonga until the MA60 aircraft was certified by a respected international authority.

Hon. Vaipulu responded by saying Tonga could not allow a third-party assessment to the aircraft because it would jeopardise the kingdom’s diplomatic relations with China.

The main points

  • Tonga’s former Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Vava’u 15, Samiu Vaipulu, was helped into Parliament by staff on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the Legislative Assembly.
  • Vaipulu held a staff member’s right hand while they were walking through the entrance and into the House.
  • Kaniva News has been reliably informed Hon. Vaipulu was rushed to hospital last month after concern that he might have suffered a possible stroke.
  • Last week Hon. Vaipulu was seen limping with a walking stick as he moved towards a lectern to make a speech during Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday celebration at Kuini Salote Memorial Hall.

Strong support: Mangere death accused to attend 2yo’s funeral

By
Kalino Latu
-

The 26-year-old man charged after the two-year-old girl in Mangere died of gunshot wound will be allowed to attend her funeral despite being remanded in custody.

More than 30 Tongan family members turned up at Manukau District court yesterday with many wearing traditional Tongan vala, singing hymns as they waited for the accused to appear.

When they went into the court room their support for the accused was very clear. Some of them yelled out, “stay strong bro”, “we love you”.

The accused whose relationship to the girl was given interim suppression, sobbed in dock during his first appearance.

He has been charged with unlawful possession of a pistol.

The accused will appear in court again on June 24.

Police investigation continued yesterday in the cordoned off scene at the curve of Favona Rd in Mangere near Norana Ave and the cordon remained in place on Friday evening.

‘Ikale Tahi team for Pacific Nations Cup finally announced

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga have officially announced the squad to compete during the Pacific Nations Cup next week.

The list had been made public early last month after it was leaked to media including Kaniva.

The national team will play against Fiji on June 11, Georgia on June 18 and Samoa on June 25.

‘Ikale Tahi

  1. Sione Faletau, Counties Manukau
  2. Ben Tameifuna, Racing Metro 92
  3. Eddie ‘Aholelei, London Welsh
  4. Sila Puafisi, Glasglow
  5. Kama Sakalia, Counties Manukau
  6. Elvis Taione, Exeter Chiefs
  7. Sione Angaaelangi, Counties Manukau
  8. Uili Kolo’ofa’i, Jersey
  9. ‘Opeti Fonua, Leicester Tigers
  10. Daniel Faleafa, SC Albi
  11. Jack Ram, Auckland Blues
  12. Nili Latu, Newcastle
  13. Sione Kalamafoni, Gloucester
  14. Sione Tau, Agen
  15. Viliami Fihaki, Sale Sharks
  16. Mikaele Mafi, Otago
  17. Sonatane Takulua, Newcastle
  18. Wayne Ngaluafe, West Harbour
  19. Latiume Fosita, Auckland
  20. Martin Naufahu, Melbourne Rising
  21. Nafitalai Tu’itavake, Narbonne
  22. Taniela Kilioni, Grenoble
  23. Tevita Halaifonua, Gloucester
  24. Viliami Hakalo, Nottingham
  25. Viliami ‘Iongi, San Francisco
  26. Apakuki Ma’afu, Sydney NRC
  27. Kali Hala, Counties Manukau
  28. ‘Otulea Katoa, Edinburgh

Economy, education and people’s health are main challenges facing Tonga, king warns

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga faces three main challenges, His  Majesty King Tupou VI said today, Thursday 2.

Speaking at the opening of Parliament, the king said these were the people’s physical health, children’s education and the country’s economy.

He said the people’s health was the most vital because if the problem could not be resolved and monitored there was no promising future for our children and their children. Non-communicable diseases were the biggest challenge to the people, His Majesty said.

But he warned that any financial investments made to help improve people’s health must be a success.

“In other words we do not have to wrongly use money which is supposed to be invested in our children’s education in their health or vice-versa,” His Majesty said.  

The king said the way to tackle the non-communicable disease crisis in Tonga was to educate young people about it and give them the chances to practise preventive measures.   

The other alternative was to allow all Tongan citizens to join the National Retirement Benefits Fund.

In this way citizens could afford anything else to choose from to make sure they get access to what is best for them to live a healthy life.

There was a time in the past when Tonga was the leading nation academically in the Pacific, but this was not the case at present, the king said.

Education in Tonga needed to be upgraded so international institutions continued to recognise it.

“We have learned from our people who have moved and work overseas why our education system needs to meet international academic requirements because that is the demand at international work places and is not just limited to the Pacific,” His Majesty said.

“So it is the government’s responsibility to make sure the standard of education, in accordance with the law, could enable Tongan citizens to obtain jobs overseas.”

He said more than 2000 students finished secondary school every year and they needed jobs.

He said as part of its reformation of the way the kingdom was governed, the government should talk to stakeholders about the best ways to boost the economy.

It was necessary to improve marketing and the economic state of the nation so Tonga could meet future financial challenges. The government should understand what was needed for marketing and we should work together to do it, the king said.

He said a local slipway should be built to meet the development in Tonga’s wharfs and help local fisheries and international vessels.

Growers and local businesses who were marketing their products oversea should be encouraged, he said.

“We cannot compete with the big countries of the world in the amount of production sent overseas, but there are certain marketing products that could be available to us,” the king said.

This including fisheries and crops, especially organic crops. If Tonga could make good deals with overseas markets to get good prices it would support the endeavour to promote the people’s good health.

His Majesty said the other option was the sale of live fish at local markets because its price was high.

The international airport had been expanded and this provided a good opportunity to export more crops because bigger aeroplanes could now arrive at Fu’amotu International Airport.

His Majesty suggested that another option would be to minimise the importation of goods and increase what Tonga could export overseas. He said farmers would benefit if they could buy locally produced animal feed.

He said if Tonga could do these things there was hope that education could grow, the economy would improve and the people could live a better, heathier, life.

The main points

  • His  Majesty King Tupou VI has declared that the three main challenges facing Tonga are the people’s physical health, children’s education and the country’s economy.
  • Non-communicable diseases were the biggest challenge to the people, His Majesty said.
  • Education in Tonga needed to be upgraded so international institutions continued to recognise it.
  • He also suggested a number of ways to improve the economy.
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