The leader of Tonga has called on Pacific Island leaders to band together and press China to write off their debts, saying his small nation is suffering “serious” debt distress.
Key points:
- Tonga’s Prime Minister wants to use the Pacific Islands Forum to tackle the Chinese debt issue
- Akalisi Pohiva says the region should collectively urge Beijing to waive repayments
- China says its aid is aimed at “improving people’s lives” and “economic development”
The calls come as Beijing defended its spending program in the Pacific in a statement to the ABC as “sincere and unselfish” while arguing that it only provides loans to those who can afford it.
Severa…
Read the full article at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-16/tonga-leads-pacific-call-for-china-to-forgive-debts/10124792