Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited, most lined in white beaches and coral reefs and covered with tropical rainforest.
The main island, Tongatapu, is protected by lagoons and limestone cliffs.
It’s home to the rural capital of Nuku'alofa, as well as beach resorts, plantations and the Ha'amonga Ęťa Maui, a monumental coral gate from the 1200s.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Tonga on Wednesday as part of the United States' efforts to increase diplomatic engagement in the Pacific.
During his visit, Blinken dedicated a new U.S. Embassy in Tonga, which had opened two months prior.
He praised the return of Peace Corps volunteers to Tonga following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blinken expressed concerns about China's actions in the region, including "predatory" economic activities, "unlawful" maritime claims, and an increased focus on militarization.
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