NUKU’ALOFA (Pacnews) — Tonga’s prime minister is rejecting claims by the pro-democracy movement that it could be selling the kingdom to China by accepting millions of dollars of aid from the Asian superpower.
Dr. Feleti Sevele said these critics don’t understand the intricacies and necessity of accepting such funds.
He said China will not gain any extra political influence over Tonga and receiving this aid is no different to receiving funds from Australia and New Zealand.
Sevele said Tonga isn’t the only nation that China is helping financially.
“Some of the western countries have avoided China only 15-20 years ago. Now they are all trotting the paths to Beijing. Now they are there they want to assist, why not and we are not selling Tonga at all,” Sevele said.