Crossword Genius

Secret society in China, a friendly place? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tonga

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'friendly place?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'secret society in china a' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'society' could be 'tong' (I've seen this before) and 'tong' is located in the answer.
'a' is present in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tonga that I've seen before include "two-wheeler" , "group of Pacific islands" , "Polynesian monarchy, member of the Commonwealth" , "Do a bad tango in the Pacific archipelago" , "Tropic island" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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