Brave Little Palau
standing up the PRC should be rewarded
Every island matters. That is why during the last great Pacific war so much blood and treasure was expended to hold and take them.
For far too long, this territory or that was either forgotten or dismissed as “not an atoll worth dying on” by people either ignorant of history, geography, or simply unserious people in serious jobs. The People’s Republic of China (PRC), especially when we were engaged in unwise imperial policing actions in Central and Southwest Asia, took advantage of the West’s neglect and moved it. A lot of work needs to be done to roll their advances back.
Where is the People’s Republic of China putting their efforts in the Southwest Pacific?
Look at the highlighted green areas.
As always, Cleo Pascal is tracking this area better than almost anyone else, and she brings some good news that I hope SECSTATE Rubio’s team is willing to leverage to everyone’s benefit.
Palau’s close relationship with the U.S., its location just the other side of Philippines and the fact that it recognizes Taiwan, make Palau a high value target for China. If China goes after Taiwan without “disabling” Palau, its Taiwan operation could be jeopardized. Which is one of the reasons the U.S. is putting new military infrastructure (or, in some cases, bringing back to life World War II era infrastructure) in Palau.
So, China has been targeting Palau’s economy and politics. It built up Palau’s tourism sector, during which land was leased in strategic locations. Then Chinese tourists disappeared, with the implied promise that they would return if Palau abandoned Taiwan (it didn’t). There were also problems with Chinese organized crime, including with at least one major Chinese Triad leader.
This has been destabilizing politically, economically and socially. In such a tight-knit society, if your cousin the police officer is selling illegal drugs for a dangerous foreign kingpin, what are you supposed to do?
Well, it looks like Palau had the right leader at the right time. He and Palau should be rewarded.
…on December 18, 2024, Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. signed Presidential Directive 24-65. It read, in part: “in recent months, there have been numerous instances of crimes being committed by foreign nationals who entered Palau with tourist visas or nonresident worker permits… [T]hese crimes include a murder…and seizures of methamphetamines totaling over 500 grams from foreign nationals on tourist visas.”
…
The Directive granted Palau’s National Security Coordinator (NSC) a 90-day period to vet all visa applications. The process included: names cross-checked against the INTERPOL criminal database; applicants undergoing background checks, employment history validation, assessment of certifications and more; and high-risk applicants being subject to travel movement analysis and site visits.
…
Previously, visas were rarely denied. After the Directive, of the 80 immigration visa applications from China, 65 were denied. By comparison, 41 applied from Japan and none were denied, and 124 applied from Philippines and 15 were denied.
Of the 24 non-resident worker applications from China, 23 were denied. From Philippines, 22 applied and 2 were denied.
Additionally, multiple illegal Chinese-run operations were dismantled, including illegal gambling and scamming. And there were several high-profile deportations, including Wang Shuiming, who was listed on an INTERPOL Red Notice. He was later arrested in Montenegro.
This is how it is done. This is also an opportunity to make this a positive example and to change course from what has been decades of unnecessary neglect.
Palau achieved this mini-miracle on its own, now it needs help. The success is only going to increase pressure from China. For one thing, the “Palau example” undercuts China’s “inevitability narrative”, in which Beijing tries to get people to think, especially in countries that recognize Taiwan, that China is the only—the inevitable—option moving forward, so best to give in now.
The good news is the stand taken by Palau has been contagious. Yan and Zhou were finally stripped of their Marshall Islands passports. Philippines didn’t let them in either. Taiwan has been helping Palau in investigations. Japan has been supportive. The U.S. has revoked a few visas of its own, and maybe be taking even stronger moves soon.
There is an excellent resident U.S. Ambassador, but there needs to be more. Palau’s NSC needs support for her office, the Attorney General needs lawyers, the country needs a drugs lab that can do forensics for court cases, etc.
This is what the frontline looks like now. While the U.S. Marines are rebuilding 80-year-old airstrips in places like Peleliu, there is a Guam National Guard state partnership program with Palau that could be sending lawyers, investigators and forensic accountants. If they do their job right, the airstrip may not be needed for a fight for another 80 years.
Yes, that Peleliu. Remember from The Pacific? Do we just give it away without at least a little effort?
A few more links you might find of interest:
Excellent piece.
Why hasn’t the Trump administration tapped CDR Sal for an important maritime position?
Great place! A long time ago I used to fly Navy EOD bubbas from Atsugi to Palau to conduct clean-ups of old Japanese WWII ordnance. On one occasion the ranking US rep (no ambassador at that time) had the aircrew and EOD guys over for a beer and barbecue (fish). An EOD senior chief was walking around the lovely grounds and strolled back to chat with the LT OIC, who came over to me and said "sir, we need to evacuate now, we've got some UXO in the flower garden). So over to the US rep I stroll and tell him, and I emphasized the precautionary nature, and no, we weren't about to get blown up. The Sr Chief and a 2nd class dug up the shell from a Type 94 90mm mortar and cordoned off the area. Back to the hotel for a change of clothes and they came back and removed the shell for disposal. The LT told the US rep "there is still tons of this stuff let so be careful"!!
The fishing was great, the diving was even better. We need to do whatever it takes to keep them firmly aligned with us.