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Newspaper article about China’s “selfless assistance” biased says embassy

By
Philip Cass
-

The Chinese embassy in Tonga has described an article in The Australian about Chinese aid in the Pacific as “groundless and irresponsible.”

In a statement released to Kaniva News, the embassy said the newspaper’s January 29 article, ‘Pacific Nations Drowning in Chinese Debt’ was biased and unprofessional.

It said the Australian newspaper had taken a biased view of what it described as China’s “selfless assistance” to Tonga and other Pacific island countries.

The embassy said the article was “full of plausible and one-sided information… obviously going against the professional ethics of journalism.”

“It meant to mislead the public and disrupt the practical cooperation and friendly relations between China and Tonga, to which China is firmly opposed.”

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the article, by Anthony Klan, reported that Tonga had borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars from China.

It had been unable to repay the loans when they were due. The International Monetary Fund persuaded China to delay the repayment date, but this meant the repayment costs would be even higher when they fell due in 2018-19.

The repayment schedule has been described as “brutal” and the World Bank warned in 2014 that that the repayments would “substantially drain the government’s cash balance.”

The Chinese embassy in Tonga claimed it had offered “a helping hand” and provided concessional loans to Tonga for the reconstruction of the centre of Nuku’alofa after the 2006 riots.

Money was also spent on upgrading roads on the main islands.

“We cannot help asking what other relevant country has done for Tonga when it needed help,” the embassy said.

It said The Australian had not mentioned the social and economic development of Tonga, which had resulted from Chinese assistance.

“China will continue to provide support and assistance within its capacity for the development of Tonga according to the actual need of the kingdom and on the basis of fully respecting the will of the Tongan government and people,” the embassy said.

The embassy said Chinese businesses in Tonga had created local jobs.

The main points

  • The Chinese embassy in Tonga has described an article in The Australian about Chinese aid in the Pacific as “groundless and irresponsible.”
  • In a statement released to Kaniva News, the embassy said the newspaper’s January 29 article, ‘Pacific Nations Drowning in Chinese Debt’ was biased and unprofessional.
  • It said the Australian newspaper had taken a biased view of what it described as China’s “selfless assistance” to Tonga and other Pacific island countries.

For more information 

Australian claims islands ‘drowning’ in Chinese debt, but Tonga grateful says govt

China’s gift causes trouble for Tonga

Tongan, Samoan MPs join prayers in Waitangi Day morning service

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan and Samoan MPs were invited to join this morning’s prayer service for Waitangi Day.

Labour List MP ‘Anahila Kanongata’a Suisuiki sang the Tongan hymn ‘Eiki ko e ‘Ofa ‘a’au.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Apita William Sio, who is of Samoan origin, prayed in Samoan.

“I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to say a prayer in the Tongan language at the Dawn Service at Waitangi,” Hon. Suisuiki said.

“Thank you Māori for rolling out your hearts and welcoming us as one.”

“Thanks that we Tongans joined the prayer to bless our land.”

The morning service began with a call for worship by the Right Reverend Te Kitohi Pikaahu, Anglican Bishop of Tai Tokerau.

This was followed by a hymn and followed by the most Reverend Philip Richardson, Primate Bishop of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

The Bible reading was Micah 6:6-8, “What does the Lord require of you?”

This was followed a prayer for the nation lead by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Hon. Steven Joyce, Hon. Aupito Su’a William Sio, Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki, Meng Foon, the Rev. David Moko, Baptist Maori Ministries, Baptist church of NZ; The Rev Way Matheson, Presbyterian Church and Lieutenant Tau Mataki, Salvation Army of NZ.

‘Good Samaritan’ rapist awaits sentencing

By
Kalino Latu
-

A bogus good samaritan, who turned a lift home into a violent rape nightmare for a teenager, is awaiting sentence.

Judge Charles Cato convicted Sione ‘Otutoa, 24, also known as Sione ‘Uli, on January 26 after ‘Otutoa offered to take the 19-year-old girl to her home during a “drink up” with other friends in Kolofo’ou in February 27, 2013.

‘Otutoa made the offer after the victim asked another person at the party to take her home.

But instead of driving her home ‘Otutoa took the victim to a place which was described in the judicial document as “a dark area” and at one stage he “forced her to the ground.”

He held his hand across her face to stop her screaming out and punched her in the ribs area before having a non-consensual sexual intercourse with her.

He had another non-consensual sexual intercourse with her for a second time before he threatened to beat her to death if she did not comply with his wishes to not tell anyone or Police about the incident.

The accused told Judge Charles Cato that the allegations were untrue but Mr. Cato did not buy it.

The girl told the court ‘Otutoa had raped her twice after she had asked to be taken home.

The judge said: “I am satisfied beyond any reasonable doubt that it was the accused who was involved with her that evening as I have said and not any other person, she knew him as Sione Uli and he admitted to going under this name and also that he knew her, at the time, as I have mentioned. I am satisfied that prior to the incident she knew the accused and that it was no other who was the rapist.”

Australian claims islands ‘drowning’ in Chinese debt, but Tonga grateful says gov’t

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga was grateful for financial aid it had received from China, the Prime Minister’s office said today.

It said Chinese technical and economic assistance had played an important part in the kingdom’s national development.

The government was responding to an article in The Australian on January 29 entitled ‘Pacific nations drowning in Chinese debt.’

“The Government of Tonga is exceedingly grateful and very appreciative of all aid funds conceded either by loan or grant to Tonga by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Australia,” the Prime Minister’s office said.

“In the wake of the riots in 2006, the Government of Tonga had no choice but to welcome the assistance offered promptly by the People’s Republic of China with the rebuilding of the Nuku’alofa Central Business District in our road to recovery.

“The Kingdom of Tonga continues to value deeply and mutually its friendly and strong ties and cordial relations with both the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.”

As Kaniva News reported last month, Australian International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells claimed that China was funding “roads to nowhere” and “useless buildings.”

Tonga’s Minister of Justice Hon. Sione Fa’otusia  described the claims as “sad.”

Hon. Fa’otusia  said China was filling the gap left by Australia which was not helping the countries of the Pacific.

In 2013, when he was opposition leader, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told an Auckland audience that Tonga was lost to China.

“Our hands and feet have already been tied,” he said at the time.

He said China might agree to write off the loan, but at the cost of having a naval base in Tonga.

The Australian report

According to the latest report in the Australian newspaper, Tonga owes China $143.7m.

Journalist Anthony Klan reported that in 2008 and 2010, Tonga took out two loans from the Export-Import Bank of China, totalling $311m.

The first tranche of $146m was to fund the rebuilding of the centre of Nuku’alofa the 2006 riots. The second loan was supposed to be spent on road building and rehabilitation.

However,  Klan claimed much of the second loan was spent on constructing Vuna wharf and renovating the Royal Palace.

“In 2013, when the repayments on the first loan became due after a five-year grace period expired, Tonga called on China to convert the loans to “grants” but those requests were rejected,” Klan wrote.

“After intervention by the International Monetary Fund, China agreed to postpone payments for five years. But the term of the loans remained the same, meaning when principal and interest payments are required to be paid again  in 2018-2019  they will be even higher than in 2013.”

Klan said a representative of the Tongan Chamber of Commerce and Industry had described  the issue of debt to China as a “red hot topic.” He said the Tongan government had declined to comment.

Klan wrote that many business owners said local people felt “helpless” and held to ransom by China.

He said one man claimed the Chinese government was loading up the nation with unserviceable debt, while Chinese nationals were putting locals out of work.

The main points

  • Tonga was grateful for financial aid it had received from China, the Prime Minister’s office said today.
  • It said Chinese technical and economic assistance had played an important part in the kingdom’s national development.
  • The government was responding to an article in The Australian on January 29 entitled ‘Pacific nations drowning in Chinese debt.’
  • “The Government of Tonga is exceedingly grateful and very appreciative of all aid funds conceded either by loan or grant to Tonga by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Australia,” the Prime Minister’s office said.

For more information  

Pacific nations drowning in Chinese debt.

Australian attacks on China “sad” says Tongan Minister of Justice

‘Akilisi Pohiva: Tonga is lost to China (2013)

Reports China won’t forgive huge Tongan debt (2015)

Arrest made in Hihifo homicide investigation

By
Kalino Latu
-

A man has been arrested after another man was killed and his body was found near a road in Fatai, Hihifo, yesterday Sunday 4.

Police launched an investigation after it received a report from Vaiola hospital last night at around 10pm which confirmed a 27-year-old man from Pea has died.

The victim has been stabbed and he died in hospital upon arrival, Police said.

The suspect, 32, from Te’ekiu was arrested by Police at around 3:00am this morning Monday 5.

“Information received by Police so far indicates that the suspect and the deceased were drinking alcohol at a place in Te’ekiu,” Police Acting Chief Superintendent Tēvita Vailea said.

Police Investigation continues.

Man to face court after South Auckland altercation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police and ambulance were called to an address in Marjorie Place, Otahuhu around 1:10am today to reports one person had been critically injured.

Inquiries suggest two men, who were known to each other, had got into an altercation at a private residence.

The man who was initially in a critical condition is now understood to be in a serious condition in hospital.

A 50 year old Otahuhu man is expected to appear in Manukau District Court today on serious charges, which are yet to be confirmed.

Call for travel warning on dengue in Tonga and plea for New Zealand help

By
Philip Cass
-

A relative of Toafei Telefoni, who died of dengue in Tonga, said yesterday he was concerned that there was no New Zealand travel warning about dengue for people travelling to Tonga.

He said the family believed the outbreak of dengue was serious and that New Zealand should offer its help.

John  McCaffery is an uncle of Toafei Telefoni, who died in Vaiola hospital on January 24.

“Tonga apparently  still has no laboratory facilities to do the required blood tests for dengue especially the close monitoring needed to know if the virus is going to advance to the critical life threatening stage,” McCafferey said.

He said nobody at the funeral knew that the dengue carrying mosquito, Aedes aegypti, almost always bit in daytime and was most active in the two to three hours after sunrise and the two to three hours before sunset.

He said a relative who had been in Tonga had flown himself back to Auckland after being diagnosed with dengue after a private blood test and had gone to Auckland hospital for assistance.

He also claimed that the daughter of a Tongan family in the UK had been diagnosed with dengue and when she arrived in London she collapsed bleeding from the nose and mouth at customs.

Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.

Dengue should be suspected when a high fever (40°C/104°F) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash.

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever.

There are four types of dengue.

For severe dengue, care by medical staff  experienced with the effects and progression of the disease can save lives, decreasing mortality rates from more than 20% to less than one percent.

The main points

  • A relative of Toafei Telefoni, who died of dengue in Tonga, said yesterday he was concerned that there was no New Zealand travel warning about dengue for people travelling to Tonga.
  • He said the family believed the outbreak of dengue was serious and that New Zealand should offer its help.
  • Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.

Deep and emotional respect for family at funeral of dengue victim

By
Philip Cass
-

Toafei Telefoni , who died of dengue in Tonga last week, was buried at Manukau Memorial Gardens at midday yesterday.

She died in Vaiola hospital on January 24.

Her mother ‘Alavina’s first cousin, Tuitui Folauhola, told Kaniva News the family’s maternal side felt “deep and emotional respect” at the funeral.

“You can tell from the attendance and commitments of our brothers during the funeral the impact of Toafei’s death against our family and relatives,” Folauhola said.

Toafei was the only child of ‘Alavina and Sini and ‘Alavina was the only daughter of her parents.

Alavina and her son Sebastian, who is adopted, went to Tonga with Toafei for their Christmas holidays.

Alavina and Sebastian returned for work while her daughter stayed behind, intending to return to New Zealand later with her grandmother.

Alavina was later told Toafei was sick. It is understood she had returned from hospital after being told no cause of her illness could be identified.

However Alavina booked a ticket to Tonga to see her daughter after she was informed Toafei had returned to hospital and been admitted.

While ‘Alavina was preparing to leave she was told Toafei has died. Her husband Sini and Sebastian travelled with her to Tonga to bring back Toafei’s body.

Minister

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito Sio said today he had been moved by her death.

“It saddened me because parents should not have to bury their child,” Hon. Sio said.

“It should be the other way around.

“I was moved with emotion because I have children myself and I preside over an extended family with lots of young people the same age as Toafei.

“I can only imagine the heartache the family must feel, and the anguish that someone so young could be taken from them.”

The Minister confirmed reports that he had given a small personal gift to the girl’s parents.

“That isn’t important,” he said.

“What I think was important as the local MP for Mangere is I had the opportunity to attend the family service and I was accorded the privilege and honour to provide some words of comfort to the parents and the extended family.

“I simply wanted to offer my strength to comfort the parents Sini and Alavina Telefoni because as a parent myself I understand the suffering they’ve gone through.”

The main points

  • Toafei Telefoni , who died of dengue in Tonga last week, was buried at Manukau Memorial Gardens at midday yesterday.
  • She died in Vaiola hospital on January 24.
  • ‘Alavina’s first cousin, Tuitui Folauhola, told Kaniva News the family’s maternal side felt “deep and emotional respect” at the funeral.
  • “You can tell from the attendant and commitments of our brothers during the funeral the impact of Toafei’s death against our family and relatives,” Folahola said.

For more information

Dengue confirmed as cause of death of 12 year old girl, Ministry confirms 19 more cases

Mata-poto pea loto-poto: A leadership tool of Tongan cognitive and spiritual intelligence

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Discourse on Nation Building (Part 5)

By Sione Tu’itahi

(Educator, writer and Executive Director of the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand)

As Tongan kāinga (extended families) and communities around the world move to take greater control of the challenges that influence their material prosperity and spiritual wellbeing, the need for good governance and leadership naturally increases. Certain concepts in indigenous Tongan governance and leadership can contribute to enriching their leadership experience and their strive for excellence in all things.

Two such concepts are matapoto and lotopoto. This column briefly explores the concepts.

On one level, matapoto means being witty and shrewd while lotopoto means wise. On a deeper plane, matapoto means being astute and highly intelligent whereas lotopoto means being judicious and wise with a high ethical and spiritual consciousness.

When used conjointly, they refer to a state of high, multi-dimensional intelligence, wisdom and consciousness.

Unpacking these two concepts and examining their coherent connectedness can contribute to the advancement of Tongan leadership in all spheres and levels.

Three morphemes, mata, loto and poto, make up the compound terms of matapoto and lotopoto. Knowing their basic meanings is one starting point for analysing and understanding their significance and utility.

Mata has a number of meanings that include eyes, face, representative, surface, point, green and unripe. Loto means the mind, the centre, depth, and spirit. Poto means wise, discerning, intelligent, and clever.

At the social level, mata not only means the eyes or face of human beings but it also refers to the point of interface between two formations such as matatau/the vanguard of an army or matāpule, the representative and orator for a high chief.

In terms of human relationship, mata stands as a symbol for the character of the individual. A person who loves and cares, for instance, is referred to as tokotaha mata’ofa/loving face, while an uncaring person is regarded as mata’ita’e’ofa/unloving face. A person who cares for the wellbeing of her extended family and community is known as matakainga/extended-family caring face. In the field of strategic leadership, a visionary and forward thinking leader is known as matalōloa/long distance vision.

Referring to human character, loto means heart and inner being. For instance, a person who is courageous is called lotolahi or lototo’a/brave heart, while a coward is called lotosi’i/fainthearted or lotofo’i/vanquished heart. A loving person is referred to as loto’ofa whereas a heart full of envy is called lotokovi.

On an abstract level, the concept of loto means interior such as lotofale/interior of a house. When reduplicated, it means depth as in moana loloto/deep ocean.

Exploring connections between mata and loto can reveal the systemic coherence among these Tongan concepts on a number of levels and dimensions. At the abstract level mata means outside, exterior or surface whereas loto is interior/depth. In human and education terms, mata symbolises the mind while loto stands for the heart. Additionally, from a spiritual dimension, mata symbolises the material whereas loto refers to the spiritual.

Furthermore, from a Tongan educational perspective, the on-going interaction between mata/mind and loto/heart is central to the learning and development of a person. Whereas mata refers to cognition and knowing, loto is the seat of emotion and has a central role in a person’s decision-making.

For instance, to agree to is to ‘loto ki ai.’ This strongly suggests that decision-making is both a mind and heart process. To motivate a Tongan person to learn or act, the loto/heart or spirit is the key. This is best illustrated by the old Tongan maxim of “Tonga mo’unga ki he loto”/the mountain of Tonga is the heart.

When the Tongan’s heart is motivated and moved, it will demonstrate qualities such as mafana/warmth, and that person is self-driven to achieve goals at high standards.

In practice, a person who is matapoto is one who is intelligent and discerning of trends and situations, and capitalises on them. In sports, for instance, a boxer who is matapoto is the one who outsmarts his opponent and ultimately wins.

Likewise, a student who pro-actively seeks help from teachers and others, and therefore, become academically successful is said to be matapoto. Similarly, in a socio-political and economic context, a matapoto leader is the one who strategises, takes risks, and, therefore, pro-actively explores possibilities and creates opportunities

Lotopoto literally means wise heart. It refers not only to being intelligent and knowledgeable, but, more importantly, to using intelligence and knowledge under all conditions for the right purpose. Also, it points to a depth of wisdom that has intellectual and spiritual dimensions. Further, it indicates that a person who is lotopoto is one that acts wisely for the collective wellbeing rather for his personal gain and individual advancement only.

As shown above, there is a complementary relationship between matapoto, the knowledge of the mind, and lotopoto, the wisdom of the heart. While the mind can be knowledgeable and shrewd, the heart weighs options and decides what may be right and, therefore, what may be done.

Through the lenses of matapoto and lotopoto, it can be suggested that the use of ‘ilo/knowledge for the benefit of society – a hallmark of a being poto – is largely an outcome of educating the loto/heart rather than the mind only. In other words, central to the notion of Tongan education is a clear and dynamic coherence between teaching the mind, and educating the heart.

In today’s globalised society, Tongans generally want to live as Tongans and also be able to contribute to greater society. And while they strive to achieve material prosperity, they also hope to maintain the balance by retaining their spiritual prosperity.

Tongan Indigenous tools such as matapoto and lotopoto can certainly help them to attain such goals and to augment the knowledge and wisdom gained from other sources such as those of the East and West, science and religious traditions.

©Sione Tu’itahi 2018

Email: stuitahi@xtra.co.nz

FISA probes claims passengers’ lives at risk as MV ‘Otu Anga’ofa loaded in bad weather

By
Kalino Latu
-

The government shipping agency FISA is investigating claims that passengers were loaded at Niua Toputapu to board MV ‘Otuanga’ofa at night time and while there were huge waves.

The claims were made by the former Member of Parliament for the Niuas, Lepolo Taunisila.

Taunisila made the claims on Facebook based on an account of the incident she received from her brother who travelled from Niua to Tongatapu on the vessel.

Taunisila said heavy rain fell while the vessel was loading and passengers were told to climb and enter through a side door as the main entrance could not be opened because of the severe weather.

Passengers had to be loaded into small boats before they were transferred to the vessel, which was heaving in the open sea.

Women and school children were wet and ropes were stretched out to help them get into the vessel.

Some passengers’ cargo fell into the sea, Taunisila said.

A FISA spokesperson told Kaniva News he only learned about the claims after we asked him to comment.

Taunisila questioned the decision by the vessel’s master to load the passengers at night as it was clear from the beginning the sea was rough.

She said it would have been better to load the passengers during the day.

“How about if the load of the passengers were postponed to the following day until the weather was fine?” Taunisila asked.

She claimed this was a clear sign there was no improvement in FISA’s poor services.

She said she was concerned about “the lives of our poor people”.

Taunisila called on the government to dredge the Niua wharf so that the vessel could enter it.

In March last year Kaniva News reported that inter-island ferries in Tonga were still travelling to Niua Toputapu despite the fact that signal and beacon lights were damaged in the 2009 tsunami had not been repaired.

At the time FISA CEO Mosese Fakatou said the Marine Department said they had no money to fix the eight year old damage.

Sediment from the tsunami has filled the channel to the wharf in Pasivūlangi harbour so the ferry was navigating a shallow passage.

The MV ʻOtuangaʻofa once ran aground while navigating its way out of the harbour.

Read more

Looking for a new spaceship captain? Try the skipper of the Niuafoʻou ferry

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