Taiwan says China’s coast guard has detained a Taiwanese fishing vessel
NBCJul 07, 2024
Following the confirmation of his re-election, the pro-Western president of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr., reaffirmed his criticism of China's maritime claims and accused it of violating the sovereignty of his Pacific island nation.
According to the Whipps Jr., who defeated his brother-in-law 5,626 to 4,103, Chinese vessels continue to enter Palau’s waters uninvited, with the latest incursion allegedly occurring a day after his re-election.
As Whipps Jr. accuses China of entering its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), he's also been expanding the US' military presence, including a radar outpost and plans to deepen ports for the US Navy to access.
Pacific nations must follow the path of Palau, which is aligning itslef with a friendly ally, the US, against an ever encroaching adversary in China. By banding together, these smaller countries can gain leverage against larger powers that often overlook their sovereignty. As the US offers crucial security and economic support, the entire region can band together in the fight for national autonomy.