Tongan lawyer criticized China's claim it could speak for Tonga at the UN Featured
New Zealand-based Tongan lawyer, Nalesoni Tupou
20 January, 2019. A New Zealand-based Tongan lawyer, Nalesoni Tupou, is questioning China's claim it could speak for or represent Tonga at the United Nations (UN).
That comes after Tonga lost its right to vote because of outstanding fees.
Those fees have since been repaid with Tonga's chief secretary, Edgar Cocker, saying there had been an administrative glitch.
At a Chinese reception in Nuku'alofa last week, new Chinese ambassador Cao Xiaolin gave a speech claiming - as a permanent member of the UN Security Council - that "China speaks for Tonga and other developing countries with a view to safeguarding our common interests".
"The exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as infrastructure, economy and trade, agriculture, fishery, health, education and culture have tightened the close ties between our two peoples, boosted economic development, improved people's livelihood and brought tangible benefits to them," he said.
He described the aid provided by China to Tonga as "sincere and selfless".
The ambassador also said the two countries were like-minded partners in international affairs, sharing similar positions on many regional and international issues.
However, Mr Tupou objected to the suggestion that China could represent Tonga if the country lost its right to vote.
Mr Tupou questioned what Tonga's common interests with China were, saying it looked like China was working to become the mind that thinks for Tonga, influencing Tonga's objectives.
Tonga was a nation of its own and not a province of China, unless the Tongan government had already given approval and endorsements for China to deliver to the UN as its voice, said Mr Tupou.
- RNZI
4 comments
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SOVEREIGNTY IS THE ISSUE, AND NO WAY COULD CHINA VOTE FOR TONGA IN THE UN...Tonga must be present and vote in the UN Security Council. They can say anything they want, but to vote is another matter.
I agree with the legal counselor, Mr. Nalesoni Tupou...except for his final comment, "unless the Tongan government had already given approval..." That's nuts, and unthinkable. NO COUNTRY GIVES UP THEIR SOVEREIGNTY NO MATTER FOR HOW MUCH MONEY...except of course, Fiji bent over and surrendered to England without a fight.
Sorry folks but no country can piggy-back another country in an UN Security Council vote, including the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, like China, U.S.A, Russia, France, and Britain. Like our Parliament, nobody can vote for another MP, and neither the PM could speak or vote for another MP.
Mr. Cao Xiaolin must be drinking rice whiskey to announce China could vote for Tonga in the UN Security Council. "China speaks for Tonga and other developing countries with a view to safeguarding our common interests." What common interest?
China is loaded with cash while Tonga "and other developing countries" have their hands out for more freebies. Plus China gives "sincere and selfless" is like what the Godfather said to the poor man who owes him money and favors: "Don't worry, I will give you an offer you cannot refuse." -
'E talamai 'e Siaina koe faingofua taha kia au keu malu'i mo tokanga'i ho'omou malu ko'emau langa ha 'apitanga tau naval base hena pea ko ho'omou toki malu tahaa ia, and what's in there for China??
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"China speaks for Tonga and other developing countries with a view to safeguarding our common interests".
China had accomplished two things with that statement. China could have used a clearer vocabulary to avoid confusion but chose not to.
Tonga or China could speak for each other base on their common interests. China will express Tonga’s interest when they have common understanding and or beliefs. That is the key. This is reciprocity. There is nothing outrageous about that statement. It does not mean China will vote in the UN for Tonga or vice versa.
Second, China is also reminding Tonga to get in line and vote along side China in the UN. Simple as that. No more, no less.
Case in point. "Pivot to the Pacific" is an integral part of China BRI initiative. This is China application of Mahan's theory in the Pacific for its' world-wide dominance strategy and at the same time buying Tonga votes at the UN. This is the same corruption such as politicians buying votes. -
Oku totonu ketau fiefia ai kuo kau mai a China he tokanga'i 'etau malu .. mahalo oku 'iai pe ha ngaahi talite mo e ngaahi fonua anga maheni hange ko USA oku memipa he UNSC ka oku fakafiefia e fie tokoni a China .. Nothing to panic about.. koe po lea pe 'a e kau inu uaine mo fiefia he tu'uloa 'o e va fakakaungame'a o Tonga pe mo China.... ko e ha hano ngeli ke tokanga a China ki he etau malu pea ko 'ene sai ia kenau tokolahi.. Malu'i mei Langi pea kau ai pe mo Amelika mo NZ mo Aussie pea kau ai pe foki mo China he fie tokoni mai... Tukukehe kapau kuo tuku mai 'ehe Pule'anga ia ha tohi ke fakamafai'i a China ke nau lea ma'a kitautolu pea oku tonu ke fai ha tokanga mavahe kiai.
Malo