China's hospital ship visits Tonga amid growing competition in the Pacific

Thousands of Tongans visit military-run Peace Ark for free treatment as analyst criticises medical missions as 'PR events' Thousands of people in Tonga have sought medical treatment from a Chinese naval hospital ship docked in the capital, as many praised the free services provided by Beijing which come at a time of increasing competition with the US and its allies for influence in the region. The military-run vessel staffed with doctors and nurses has spent seven days in the Nuku'alofa. Known a...