Blinken became the first U.S. Secretary of State to visit Tonga

Anthony Blinken became the first U.S. Secretary of State to visit the nation of Tonga.

The U.S. diplomatic chief opened a new U.S. embassy and warned South Pacific nations about the dangers of “predatory” Chinese investment.

As part of efforts to strengthen Washington’s influence in the region and counter Beijing’s growing influence, Blinken landed in Nuku’alofa to embark on a diplomatic mission.

“We are a Pacific nation and we have a good vision for the future in the Indo-Pacific,” Blinken told the host nation, pledging support for projects of great importance to Tonga.

“We really understand what is a priority for people here,” he said, pointing to issues such as climate change, development and illegal fishing.

But he also sounded a note of caution about aid from Beijing, which has increased dramatically in recent years, noting that it often comes with conditions.

“As China’s involvement in the region increases, its behavior, from our perspective, becomes increasingly problematic,” Blinken said.

He said China is behind “some predatory economic activity, as well as investments that are being made in ways that may, in fact, undermine good governance and promote corruption.”

You may be interested: Deutsche Bank fined $186 million for financial irregularities