Pacific islands grow influence in 2024｜Taiwan News

The Pacific Islands increased their engagement and advocacy on the global stage in 2024 – whether through climate action or by taking advantage of US-China geopolitical competition. The two countries have been vying for influence in the region. VOA’s Jessica Stone reports.

In December, the US military conducted its first successful live intercept of a ballistic missile off the territory of Guam – a test of its capability to defend against long-range missile attacks from Russia or China.

Amata Radewagen
American Samoa delegate
The US has wisely prioritized first and second island chain counter positioning that included our build-up at Guam and Palau, as well as Space Force downlinks and Army missile programs at Kwajalein enabled under the 2024 COFA renewal treaties.

The COFA, or Compacts of Free Association, renewal treaties came in March of 2024 – three Pacific Island nations getting US$7 billion in economic aid over the next 20 years in exchange for giving the US military special access. They include Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau – where Surangel Whipps is the president.

Surangel Whipps Jr.
President of the Republic of Palau
We’re looking forward to 20 years of prosperity that relationship will continue to grow and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Whipps won reelection in November, promising to maintain the island’s support of US troops and diplomatic relations with self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own sovereign territory. In the Solomon Islands, a spring election gave way to a pro-Beijing leader, Jeremiah Manele. At a Pacific Islands Forum in November, a clash of alliances happened as the Solomon Islands tried unsuccessfully – on behalf of China – to block Taiwan from future participation in the group. Two months later – the Solomons announced the discovery of the world’s largest coral – a reminder of the region’s most enduring adversary: climate change. Pacific island youth led an effort at the International Court of Justice to demand a legal ruling on the obligation of nations to fight climate change. Coral Pasisi runs the Niue Ocean Wide trust – asking individuals to sponsor specific sections of ocean for conservation.

Coral Pasisi
Niue Ocean Wide president
In one year and we already have around US$6.5 million in commitment, which is pretty amazing for a small place.

Small places with big issues at stake increasingly in the international spotlight.

Jessica Stone, VOA News, Washington.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53
#台灣新聞 #TaiwanNews #民視新聞 #FTV新聞 #Taiwan