Two Chinese naval vessels, the guided-missile destroyer Zibo and the comprehensive supply ship Gaoyouhu, on behalf of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, have departed from Zhejiang province on China’s eastern coast. Their destination: Tonga, to participate in celebrations for the Tongan Royal Navy’s 50th anniversary in early July.
The Zibo is expected to take part in a series of planned events, which includes naval fleets from countries in Asia, Europe and Oceania. They will jointly participant in activities such as the fleet review, military parade and military parade.
This deployment comes as China and Tonga’s diplomatic relationship has grown increasingly close in recent years. China has provided significant financial assistance to Tonga for infrastructure development and disaster relief.
But countries like the United States have expressed concern about China’s growing influence in the Pacific region, including Tonga. This deployment may be understand by the United States as a sign of China’s military ambitions in the region as it expands its footprint in Tonga.
The participation of the Chinese naval vessels in Tonga’s celebrations is likely to be seen as a further strengthening of ties between the two nations but will also be monitored by other countries in the region who are concerned about China’s growing military power.
