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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV RIMPAC TONGA
HEADLINE: Tongan Military Takes Part in Naval Exercises in Hawaii
TEASER: As Beijing increases engagement in the South Pacific, Tonga finds new Indo-Pacific partners
PUBLISHED: 7/20/2022 at
BYLINE: Jessica Stone
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Keith Lane
PRODUCER: Jessica Stone
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Sharon Shahid
VIDEO EDITOR: Keith Lane
CONTRIBUTOR:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, AP, REUTERS, ZOOM
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _x_ TV _X_ RADIO _x_
TRT: 2:55
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: ))
((PKG INTRO))
Nearly 10 percent of the kingdom of Tonga's fighting force is in Hawaii this month — training side by side with militaries across the Indo-Pacific region. The tiny kingdom is the only South Pacific island nation participating in the Rim of the Pacific naval exercises — just as the region finds itself at the center of competing U.S. and Chinese diplomatic and military efforts. VOA’s Jessica Stone reports from Honolulu, Hawaii.
((TAKE PKG))
NAT SOUND TONGAN MILITARY SHOOTING
((NARRATOR))
These Tongan Marines are building personal alliances here in Hawaii to protect the future of the South Pacific. Lieutenant Filise Siale leads the platoon.
((Lt. Filise Siale, Tongan Platoon Commander))
“It’s really important because we don't have this kind of training environment back at home. Uh, so this is very complex for us to operate, especially my platoon."
((NARRATOR))
The tiny island kingdom sent 10 percent of its entire military to the Rim of the Pacific naval exercises. On the way, they spent two weeks in Australia to overcome differences in equipment, language and culture.
((JESSICA STONE; VOA CORRESPONDENT PIECE TO CAMERA))
((Jessica Stone, VOA Correspondent))
“With twenty-six different countries here at these naval exercises, you can imagine the kind of communication problems that can present themselves. But one thing that’s interesting is that there are very few translators. In fact, the way they mostly communicate is either through hand signals or through leadership that can also speak English.”
((Lt. Filise Siale; Tongan Platoon Commander))
“The boys start to have a deeper understanding of other cultures especially, and also their languages and how to make friends to them."
((LCpl. Michael Price, Australian Army))
“Every time we talk to another nation, it’s like, ‘Does anyone here speak English?’
((NARRATOR))
Lance Corporal Michael Price says it’s a trial run for teamwork under fire.
((Lance Cpl. Michael Price, Australian Army))
"When we do it together, we can understand how each other works. So, if we need to work in the future real time, then that. Prevents hiccups and makes it smooth. Makes it work well.”
((NARRATOR))
Tonga and other South Pacific nations are now at the heart of the U.S.-China strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. Since May, the region has hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and U.S. Special Envoy Joseph Yun. And last week, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke remotely at the Pacific Islands Forum.
((Kamala Harris, US Vice President))
“The U.S. will launch a process to establish two new embassies in the region: one in Tonga, one in Kiribati.”
"The game is on in the Pacific."
((NARRATOR))
Satu Limaye is the vice president of the East-West Center think tank.
((Satu Limaye, Vice President East-West Center))
“The Vice President Harris initiatives are really terrific in terms of the U.S. role and the U.S. engagement. But you know, they are contingent on congressional authorization."
((Randy Schriver, Former US Assistant Secretary of Defense))
“It’s past time for us to pick up our game, and I think we are.”
((NARRATOR))
Randy Schriver, former assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, says renewed U.S. engagement is already translating into action. Just days ago, a key leader in the Pacific Islands openly criticized Beijing for its failed attempt to sign the region to a security agreement.
((Randy Schriver, Former US Assistant Secretary of Defense))
“So, it's really strong evidence that China is overstepping here and trying to shape the region in ways that are really uncomfortable for our Pacific Island friends."
((NARRATOR))
Which is why he says that the relationships formed here at the Rim of the Pacific naval exercises are so important.
((Jessica Stone, VOA News, Honolulu, Hawaii))
NewsML Media TopicsConflict, War and Peace, Politics
