United States: The United States has reached a deal with Micronesia to extend decades-old political and security ties as China attempts to build influence in the region.

State Department officials stated that three documents related to Micronesia’s Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the United States had been signed in Pohnpei, signalling the extension of a 20-year-old arrangement that gives the island nation defence and security guarantees and Washington the right to locate military facilities across a swath of the central Pacific.

The signing marked “the successful conclusion of negotiations with FSM regarding the extension of compact-related economic assistance” and was “a major milestone” in relations, the State Department remarked in a statement.

The signing of the agreements will be a blow to China, which has made a concerted effort to increase its influence in Micronesia, prompting unease among some local politicians.

Then-president, Mr. David Panuelo, in March accused China of engaging in bribery, harassment, and espionage as it tried to boost its influence.

According to Mr. Panueli, Beijing “demonstrated a keen capability to undermine our sovereignty, reject our values, and use our elected and senior officials for their own purposes.”

Mr. Taylor Ruggles, the US State Department’s Pacific Island Affairs Director, stated that talks with the Marshall Islands were “advancing”.

“Clearly, the renewal of the compacts is important for the administration,” Mr. Ruggles noted, adding that the agreements still have to be “funded and approved” by the US Congress.

The Director described Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands as “some of our closest partners in the Pacific”. The Marshall Islands agreement expires at the end of 2023.

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