Crown Prince Tupouto‘a Ulukalala to Attend China-Pacific Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Amid Shifting Global Alliances
NUKUʻALOFA, 22 May 2025 — His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto‘a Ulukalala, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces, will represent the Kingdom of Tonga at the Third China–Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled for 28–29 May in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.
The meeting, to be chaired by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, will bring together foreign ministers and senior officials from eleven Pacific Island countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China. It marks a key moment in ongoing efforts to strengthen China–Pacific cooperation through dialogue and development initiatives.
Tonga’s participation—led by the Crown Prince himself—highlights the nation’s commitment to an active foreign policy and its determination to engage constructively with major global partners in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
A Critical Juncture for the Pacific
This year’s meeting comes at a time of uncertainty surrounding U.S. foreign policy in the Pacific. Recent shifts have led to questions among Pacific Island nations regarding the consistency and long-term reliability of Washington’s commitments to the region.
In contrast, China’s growing presence—characterised by investment, aid, and strategic engagement—has opened new avenues for Pacific nations seeking development assistance and infrastructure partnerships. While welcomed by some, this increased involvement has also raised concerns among traditional allies about geopolitical balance and the risk of militarisation in the region.
Just this week, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters issued a cautionary statement urging that the Pacific must not become a “military zone,” pointing to the strategic tug-of-war playing out between global powers.
Tonga’s Role in Navigating Regional Diplomacy
With his dual portfolio in foreign affairs and defence, Crown Prince Tupouto‘a Ulukalala is uniquely placed to represent Tonga’s interests. His presence at the Xiamen meeting signals Tonga’s active role in shaping the direction of regional cooperation, while reinforcing the Kingdom’s sovereign right to build balanced and mutually respectful diplomatic relationships.
As regional dynamics continue to shift, the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting offers Pacific nations a platform to assert shared priorities—ranging from climate action and economic resilience to connectivity and regional security.
