China’s Growing Interests in the Pacific Islands While the United States and the FAS are in the process of renegotiating the grant aid portions of the compacts, the security provisions will last in perpetuity. In exchange, the United States has the right to construct military facilities in the Freely Associated States and the right to deny third parties from using the islands’ airspace, territories and territorial waters for military purposes. Postal Service, and the ability to enlist in the U.S. Citizens of these countries also receive other benefits, including the right to live and work in the United States without a visa, access to U.S. The three countries signed Compacts of Free Association with Washington upon independence, allowing them to receive grant aid and security guarantees from the U.S. The United States administered the islands as trust territories from the end of World War II until their independence - the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands in 1986, and Palau in 1994 - leading to the unique ties they share today. The Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau lie north of the equator and span a swath of ocean roughly the width of the continental United States, which is their closest partner. and Taiwanese interests in these countries. and Taiwan maintain strong ties with North Pacific nations, China is increasingly exerting its influence and undermining U.S. This Senior Study Group report largely focuses on the interests of the United States, China and the FAS, but also has significant implications for Taiwan. interests and prevent China from increasing its influence in the region. relations with the Freely Associated States (FAS) is essential to secure U.S. “China’s engagement in these countries threatens interests both locally and in the broader Pacific region,” said the preface to the report, which makes the case that strengthening U.S.

In September 2022, USIP published a report on “ China’s Influence on the Freely Associated States of the Northern Pacific,” which consist of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau. Editor’s Note: This article was originally published by the Global Taiwan Institute.

World war II north pacific navy