By Pacific Island Times News Staff
American territories in the Pacific need more national support amid growing threats from China and North Korea, according to Rep. Jeff Hurd, chair of the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
The subcommittee hearing held Wednesday focused on Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Marianas Islands, and their role in homeland security and U.S. military strategy in the region.
“It is more important than ever for us to be proactive in our support of the Pacific territories to keep our nation strong and secure,” Hurd said, noting the need to work closely with the Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs to ensure the safety of the Pacific territories.
Rep. Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen said American Samoa is particularly vulnerable to China’s presence given its neighbors’ ties to Beijing.
“Right now, my congressional district is surrounded on three sides by countries that have increasingly entered China’s orbit,” Radewagen said.
The Cook Islands and independent Samoa recently signed major deals with China, while Kiribati has begun to further align with China.
“On top of that, Chinese fishing vessels have increasingly penetrated American Samoa’s EEZ in conducting IUU fishing in the region,” Radewagen said. “To protect United States sovereignty, we must develop the economies of the Pacific territories, and to protect American Samoa’s economy we need a permanent Coast Guard presence to deter China in the region.”
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