WELLINGTON/SYDNEY ¨C Just over a decade ago, deadly riots in the capital of Tonga, Nuku¡¯alofa, destroyed much of the small Pacific nation¡¯s central business and government districts.
Out of the rubble, the government hatched a plan to rebuild the city, including constructing a new cruise ship wharf and renovating the Royal Palace ¡ª all bankrolled by a new lender, China.
The initial roughly $65 million in Chinese lending now exceeds $115 million ¡ª almost one-third of Tonga¡¯s annual gross domestic product ¡ª as interest mounted and the government took out a second loan for road development across the country.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.