Recently, TOT republished a report from AFP under the headline “Tonga's debt to China hinders rebuild four years on from eruption,” which sensationalizes the so-called debt issue arising from the concessional loans China offered to Tonga many years ago. This report is completely inconsistent with the facts and serves only to undermine the strong friendship and partnership between China and Tonga.

It is an internationally accepted practice for countries to borrow moderately to foster economic development, which is also a main business model of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. China itself benefited from such practices.

At the request of Tonga, China offered concessional loans based on the principles of bilateral friendship and equal cooperation. When Tonga faced economic difficulties and sought loans to ease the pressure, China was the only country to step forward and lend a helping hand. These concessional loans from China have advanced Tonga's social and economic development and delivered tangible benefits to its people. Fully understanding Tonga's challenges and concerns in repaying the loans, China has offered debt rollovers to Tonga several times under both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

Following the volcanic eruption in 2022, China acted swiftly, dispatching military aircraft and naval ships to deliver relief supplies at the earliest possible time. Large quantities of food, water, tents, container houses, medical equipment, and other emergency supplies, along with urgent cash assistance, arrived to help Tonga tide over the most difficult period. What is more, China has all along provided help and support for Tonga's economic growth and people's livelihood improvement, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

China and Tonga have worked together to properly address the loan issue and moved on. Yet some Western countries, particularly the media, continue to harp on this matter. If this is not out of touch with reality, thus failing to meet basic professional standards, then it is driven by political motives. And focusing solely on the loans while turning a blind eye to China's overall and long-term support is an intentional distortion of the facts.

Facts speak louder than words. We wish all parties embrace an open and cooperative mindset, join hands to help Tonga achieve sustainable development, rather than cling to an outdated mentality of sphere-of-influence and geopolitical competition. If the Western media continue to be obsessed with the debt issue, we cannot help. But we hope that Tongan people and the media will remain fair and objective and not be deceived or misled.