Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC
 / location

Tonga

Tonga
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Tonga. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Bob Lloyd poses for a portrait at the Hong Kong Football Club, Happy Valley, Hong Kong. Lloyd served as the captain of Hong Kong team during the first Hong Kong Sevens in 1976. Photo: Alexander Mak
My Life

Former Hong Kong rugby team captain reflects on the first Sevens tournament in 1976

The former England international rugby player tells Annemarie Evans about his turn as captain of the Hong Kong team at the inaugural Sevens tournament here in 1976.

Hong Kong Sevens

On This Day | First Hong Kong Sevens rugby tourney held in 1976 – SCMP archive

United States

World welcomes 2026 with fireworks, lightshows and hopes for peace

videocam
Pacific nations

Australia, US push Pacific deterrence amid China’s security overtures

Analysts note the significance of Papua New Guinea and Fiji’s unprecedented involvement in this year’s ‘Olympics of war games’.

A servicemen wears a badge displaying the emblem of the 2025 Talisman Sabre exercise in Sydney earlier this month. Photo: AFP
Pacific nations

Tiny Pacific nations fear US travel bans. Why?

Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu all appeared on a list of nations facing new visa curbs. A US official says Washington has ‘valid concerns’.

videocam
Pacific nations

A drop in the ocean? Pacific nations tap local know-how for marine conservation

Among the measures being taken are a ban on fishing and mining activities in vast marine protected areas.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Pacific nations

Most Pacific island women don’t work. The World Bank wants to change that

Outdated laws and social norms keep 57 per cent of working-age women across the Pacific out of the labour force, the bank says.

A stallholder displays her wares to tourists at a market on Rarotonga in the Pacific nation of the Cook Islands earlier this month. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippines’ nuclear advocacy faces reality check after statement recall

As Manila’s attempt to act as a middleman in nuclear disarmament falters, analysts question its ability to influence smaller nations.

videocam
4
Pacific nations

Tonga’s prime minister abruptly quits amid Pacific power struggle

It was not immediately clear who was in line to replace Siaosi Sovaleni, who has butted heads with Tonga’s influential king.

Pacific nations

Blinken in Tonga calls out ‘predatory’ China’s ‘problematic behaviour’

The US secretary of state delivered a barbed warning about aid and investment from Beijing as he became the first American foreign minister to visit the Pacific island nation.

18
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Tonga’s prime minister in Nuku’alofa on Wednesday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Blinken readies a rapid Asia-Pacific return – with ‘China’s role’ in mind

For the third time in two months, the US secretary of state is coming back to the region – to talk Aukus, New Zealand’s Beijing diplomacy and show Pacific island nations that it’s a ‘willing partner’, analysts say.

17
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reacts during a press conference in Indonesia on July 14. He’s set to return to the Asia-Pacific this week for talks in Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Photo: Reuters
Pacific nations

One year after volcanic blast, many of Tonga’s reefs lie silent

Eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano has dealt significant blow to country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, while young corals are failing to mature in the coastal waters around the eruption site.

videocam
Pacific nations

Tonga underwater volcano erupts, forming new ‘baby’ Pacific Ocean island

The Home Reef volcano began erupting on September 10 and carried on until at least Friday. The new island it formed has grown to 24,000 square metres – but may not last for long.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

World Cup Sevens: Hong Kong end with final flourish against Tonga

Paul John’s side secure comfortable 17-0 victory on Sunday at Cape Town Stadium, looking back to their best after defeat by Uganda.

Hong Kong’s Harry Sayers attacks the Uganda defence on day two of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town. Photo: Mike Lee/KLC fotos for World Rugby
Japan

Japan, Tonga navy hold first joint drill amid China’s rise

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force said one of its destroyers engaged in training with a Tongan patrol ship in waters near the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa in a bid to boost security cooperation and exchanges between the nations.

Japan’s destroyers, the 5,200-ton Kurama, front, and the 4,550-ton Kirisame – the latter participated in a joint naval exercise with Tonga this week. Photo: AP
Asia travel

‘Good to be back’: Tongans go home as 2-year Covid-19 border closure ends

The first arrivals at Tonga’s international airport were greeted with garlands, music and tears, as families were reunited. More than 3,000 Tongans were stuck overseas when the country’s borders shut in 2020.

Rugby World Cup 2023

Tonga ease past Hong Kong in 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifier

Lewis Evans’ team looked sharp in first half, but Tonga proved too strong, booking their spot in World Cup Pool B alongside South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Romania.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong China Rugby

Mud-splattered pitch to host Hong Kong as they face Tonga for RWC 2023 qualifier

The 19th team in the 20-team Rugby World Cup in France next year is set to be determined Saturday on what is expected to be a mud-splattered pitch in a 10,000-seat stadium north of Brisbane.

Hong Kong lock Patrick Jenkinson claims the ball during the Asia Rugby Championship match against Korea. Photo: Asia Rugby
Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong coach Evans rings changes for Rugby World Cup qualifier against Tonga

Lewis Evans has made six changes to the starting 15 that won the Asia Rugby Championship against South Korea two weeks ago, and has named six forwards on the bench.

Hong Kong International Test Rugby

Injuries leave Tonga without big guns for World Cup qualifier against Hong Kong

Star trio Israel Folau, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau all missing from side for Saturday’s clash on the Sunshine Coast.

Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong ‘under no illusions’ as to threat Tonga pose in World Cup qualifier

Two sides will play each other on Australia’s Sunshine Coast on July 23, with winners going to Paris next year.

Tonga’s Malakai Fekitoa talks to teammates during his side’s World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup match against Fiji. Photo: AFP
Asia Rugby Championship

Hong Kong’s road to Rugby World Cup goes through Israel Folau and Tonga

If Hong Kong successfully defend their Asia Rugby Championship next month, a World Cup qualifier then awaits against a Tongan side likely to include former Wallaby Israel Folau and ex-All Blacks Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa.

Former Wallabies star Israel Folau could be on a collision course with Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters
Pacific nations

China and tsunami-hit Tonga hold aid ceremony day before US Pacific meet

US secretary of state to travel to Fiji on Saturday to reassure Pacific island leaders in a video meeting that Washington and its allies are committed to the region.

videocam
SpaceX

Elon Musk’s SpaceX to help Tonga fix internet

The SpaceX team is in Fiji to establish a ground station for six months; Tonga’s devastating volcanic eruption in mid-January damaged an undersea telecommunications cable.

Coronavirus pandemic

Australia says ‘no evidence’ aid warship brought Covid-19 to Tonga

Tonga imposed a lockdown after two workers in Nuku’alofa’s port, where aid has been pouring in since the January 15 volcanic eruption, tested positive for Covid-19.

videocam
8
Australia’s HMAS Adelaide docked in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Photo: Australian Defence Force via AP
China's military weapons

What Tonga aid mission says about China’s military modernisation

Analysts say the military has been taking on more non-military responsibilities as part of the overhaul of the armed forces.

videocam
9
A Chinese military plane delivers humanitarian supplies to Tonga. Photo: Xinhua
Diplomacy

Chinese military planes deliver emergency supplies to Tonga

Two aircraft arrived in the Pacific nation on Thursday morning, according to foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.

videocam
Pacific nations

Despair for fishermen after Peru oil spill caused by Tonga volcano

Hundreds fear their livelihoods are ruined and are demanding compensation from Spanish energy giant Repsol for the spill that occurred as freak waves hit a tanker owned by the company.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement