PM Pohiva retracts comments on China debt forgiveness [1]
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 13:01. Updated on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 13:09.
Tongan Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva released an official statement on 20 August, retracting comments he made two weeks ago in an interview with the Samoan Observer, where he suggested that Pacific Island nations should collectively ask China to write-off its debts.
The clarification statement was circulated to foreign media last week but only released by the Tonga Government via its official website yesterday. PM Pohiva was in Apia, Samoa between 7 - 13 August to attend the Pacific Island Forum Foreign Minister's Meeting.
The PM said in his statement: “Regarding my reported comments, after further reflection, I now believe that the Pacific Islands Forum is not the proper platform to discuss this debt issue. Each Pacific Island country has its particular national conditions and different needs for foreign loan, and it’s up to each government to independently seek solutions through bilateral channels.”
He added, “I also wish to clarify that China has never claimed to collect the debts or take the assets from Tonga in any way…”
PM Pohiva’s comments are a significant retraction from his comments to the Samoan Observer earlier where he stated:
“All the Pacific Island countries should sign this submission asking the Chinese government to forgive their debts and to me that is the only way we can all move forward, if we just can’t pay off our debts.”
Pohiva’s full clarification statement: click this link. [2]