AI
Saturday, June 19, 2004 9:58:21 PM
What do the Chinese want with Tonga?
Tonga: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Tighten military ties with Tonga or China will: ex-Tongan officer
Last Update: Saturday, June 19, 2004. 12:26pm (AEST)
Australia and New Zealand have been warned to increase their military links with Tonga or risk greater Chinese influence in the Pacific.
The warning comes from a former captain in the Tonga Defence Service, Kuli Taumoefolau, who now lives in New Zealand.
He was addressing New Zealand parliamentary select committee investigating links with Tonga
He says when he was still in the TDS, it was obvious that the Chinese military influence was starting to replace that of Tonga's traditional partners.
"They use Tonga as a strategic location for them," he said.
"When I was the acting commanding officer for the training, operations and intelligence unit, I worked closely with two officers from People's Republic of China, and they were there for martial-arts training, which is good, but you see China is slowly moving up there."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1135737.htm
Tonga: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Tighten military ties with Tonga or China will: ex-Tongan officer
Last Update: Saturday, June 19, 2004. 12:26pm (AEST)
Australia and New Zealand have been warned to increase their military links with Tonga or risk greater Chinese influence in the Pacific.
The warning comes from a former captain in the Tonga Defence Service, Kuli Taumoefolau, who now lives in New Zealand.
He was addressing New Zealand parliamentary select committee investigating links with Tonga
He says when he was still in the TDS, it was obvious that the Chinese military influence was starting to replace that of Tonga's traditional partners.
"They use Tonga as a strategic location for them," he said.
"When I was the acting commanding officer for the training, operations and intelligence unit, I worked closely with two officers from People's Republic of China, and they were there for martial-arts training, which is good, but you see China is slowly moving up there."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1135737.htm
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