The United States Congress has approved a significant funding package aimed at strengthening ties with Pacific Island nations, specifically through the Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreements with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. This legislative move, allocating $7.1 billion over 20 years, is seen as a strategic effort to counter Chinese influence in the region. The funding had faced delays but is now celebrated as a commitment to enhance U.S. relationships with these key Pacific partners. Concurrently, the Philippines, under Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, is bolstering its defense capabilities and forming new alliances to deter Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. This includes adopting a new defense strategy and signing security deals, with the Philippine Defense Secretary directing the military to defend the nation's territory and economic interests. The U.S. support, along with allies, is deemed crucial for the Philippines' plans to explore energy resources in the contested waters.
China trying to 'normalise' military drills near Taiwan, island's top security official says https://t.co/VGy4d583sD https://t.co/rcmcLra2iV
The Philippines is counting on the U.S. and its partners —including Japan — to play a crucial role in its plans to explore energy resources in the disputed South China Sea, according to Manila’s envoy to Washington. https://t.co/kRDWAxmWwE
Taiwan's top security official told parliament that China is trying to 'normalize' military drills near the island. https://t.co/TGnW6c7DBZ
The U.S. is strengthening our relationship with the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. A major step forward for our commitment to the Indo-Pacific. https://t.co/WFUtRhdsT9
Funding for the islands of Palau, the Micronesian Federation and the Marshall Islands had been held up for months ⬇️ https://t.co/MJS1SJDlz9
The Philippines is counting on the US and its allies to play a crucial role in its plans to explore energy resources in the disputed South China Sea https://t.co/LXV2EivVqL
Extending funding strengthens our relationships with key Pacific partners. The passage of this legislation is historic. These agreements continue to strengthen U.S. relationships with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. https://t.co/RU1DdSyL4S
Thank you to Congress for its bipartisan passage of COFA-related legislation. The U.S. is making good on our commitment to further strengthen our uniquely close relationships with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
The Philippines has been striking new defense agreements with other countries at a rapid clip, seeking to build what officials here call a “network of alliances” that could deter Chinese aggression in disputed waters. https://t.co/nCU0TYdmG3
#Philippines adopts new defence strategy amid #SouthChinaSea row "We are developing our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and Exclusive Economic Zone in order to ensure that our people and all the generations of Filipinos to come shall freely reap and enjoy… https://t.co/7gBznvDYj1
Statement from @SecBlinken on passage of funding for Pacific islands COFA deal 👇 https://t.co/hSLojQz452 https://t.co/r4BUBGfHtK
As tensions rise in South China Sea, Philippines signs security deals https://t.co/mLCcRn8qj4
US approves funding for Pacific countries in exchange for military presence The US Congress has approved $7.1 billion in funding for another 20 years of free association agreements with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau as part of efforts to counter Chinese influence in… https://t.co/joRzPrWD1O
RM @RepGregoryMeeks CM @RepMcCaul, Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific RM @RepBera, CW @RepYoungKim welcome the recent passage of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act (COFA) ⬇️ https://t.co/hiOGPEmaRY
To counterbalance China's influence. The US will allocate more than $7 billion to the Pacific Islands The administration of US President Joe Biden plans to finance three Pacific island states with which the United States maintains economic and defense ties. https://t.co/UJTHbAzNYE
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro directed the military to enforce a new strategy to defend the nation’s territory and economic interests, days after the latest clash with Chinese ships in the South China Sea https://t.co/X8MoSZz3HW
Will stronger Manila-Canberra ties lead to Western support in South China Sea? https://t.co/67J09ZcUs9
Without Washington's commitment to funding the Compact of Free Association with Pacific Island nations, long-term regional confidence in the United States will erode, warn Blake Johnson and Greg Brown. https://t.co/mQpFO51B1o
Congress funds #PacificIsland COFA pacts after delays in outcome that will be welcomed across the IndoPacific. https://t.co/JSlERtBmFF
US passes deal to fund Pacific Island pacts after delays https://t.co/IGmUb4IcAG