China - Geostrategic & Geopolitical.

Is it Debt or Investment strategies ? In the video the Tongan official seems certain any debt repayment with China can be negotiate. This is different with what others believe on impending Chinese Debt Trap.

Chinese debt usually align with the Investment from their private sector. Some in market already see the patern where same Chinese Financial Instutions finance infrastructure Debt and Investment on private sectors.

There are indications the infrastructure investment financing payment schedulle being renegotiate, while Chinese Private sectors continue dominating the trade. If in the end those infrastructure debts being reschedulle or even got some discount financing payment, but on other hand private sector financing shown good results, the same financial institutions will regain all their credit financing payment on overall.

China then regain diplomatic good will by shown "reasonable" investment financing scheme. In the end host country infrastructure being develop, but the chinese private sectors investment also flourishing and get biggest price. I do suspect the real aim is the later one.

Put this as ST can be said shown quasi official opinion from Singapore. In short the article basically say that increase on defense toward 5% will not be heading by US allies in region, let alone other Asians.

1. Most Asians see the level of skirmish in LCS and Taiwan issue as worying but not justifiable enough for 5% GDP for Defense,
2. Infrastucture and improving basic economics environment more important,
3. China being seen more as Trade and Investment partners, rather then imminent threarts as US or Western Euro put.

Thus most Asian want to engage both sides and altough increasing defense happen in region, but not at the level of what US wants. Most in Region come to Shangrilla meeting, but also attend forum that being lead by China.

The tone that US give at this moment, especially by Trump trade tariff are in fact more concerning for most Asians then China threats rhetorics Hagseth try to envoke to the regions. The costs of US defense items then alternative within region also going to be factors that determine whether to buy US Defense Exports.

Something that reflect condution with Russia also, Asia going to make their own policy.