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A Tiny Island Nation in the Pacific Central Ocean is the landing ground of the main geopolitical pulsate.
Palau consists of more than 340 Coral and volcanic islands that float on Ridge Kyushu Palau, and drop the micronesia. It is a geographically closer to China than any other Pacific Island country and still officially recognizes Taiwan.
Now it is on the confrontation line from a battle for influence, with China on the one hand and the United States on the other hand.
The former colony, which won independence in 1994 from the United Nations -run territory in the Pacific Ocean, is home to about 17,000 people.
It carries close relations with the United States, as Washington provides support and defense for Palau while its citizens can live and work in the United States
It was one of the few countries to avoid the comprehensive definitions of Trump. It hosts America’s air -controlled airfall with a long -term radar system that will be completed soon and that can become decisive to monitor Chinese activities.
but Reuters It says that its investigations have found evidence of a campaign of influence that is concealed by individuals with relations with the Chinese government, aimed at preventing the United States from expanding its military infrastructure in Palau.
Joel Erindrich, the American ambassador to Palau, says China uses the same tactics in Palau that it published elsewhere in the Pacific.
“We have seen the game of play over and over all over the region, and it was very effective,” Irndrich said. “Entering with predatory investment, corrupt officials by arresting the elite, and trying to destabilize society through drugs, human trafficking and other crimes. It is easy to do when you go one by one through these small countries that you can overcome.”
China has strongly pushed the claims.
The CEO of the United States Studies Center in Sydney, Dr. Michael Green, explained that the strategic center of the Palau is putting him in a major place to wear the Geopolitical Society for War, and the CEO of the United States Studies Center in Sydney, Dr. Michael Green. And he said to Guardian Last November.
The Trump administration is not alien to trying to influence the islands while competing with the competing forces – Greenland has been famous at the interference of the US President since he returned to power in November. In March, China described the efforts to deepen cooperation between Beijing and Greenland despite Trump.
Reuters It now claims that Chinese efforts to influence the future of Palau work deeply. The News Agency reviewed the intelligence reports, police files, court records and land files, and conducted interviews with more than 20 diplomats and local law enforcement officials as part of their achievement.
American news indicates that people from China are associated with illegal activity – including drug smuggling and prostitution – trying to strengthen relations with senior Palau officials. They were accused of making donations to tighten the political figures of the island and try to facilitate the meetings between Chinese officials and villas.
Tamara Hotler, the public prosecutor for anti -corruption in the country, said political donations by foreign citizens are illegal in Palau.
She said: “The only evidence that my office has received is through unknown sources.” “Everyone knows that foreigners give money, but without evidence of our hands.”
“Corruption is just a spread,” Hutler added. She said it is difficult to fight, partly because the application of the law lacks resources.
Meanwhile, Chinese businessmen rented land near some American military facilities, including radar stations and air departures, according to land records. Foreign citizens cannot buy land in Palau, but they can rent them for long periods for decades.
Ehrendreich believes that rental contracts were definitely strategy.
The ambassador said: “Everywhere there are different plans from the lands that are now rented for Chinese interests.” “I don’t think it is ever by chance to be physically close to our projects.”
He said that the tactic of finding lands was “how they could monitor what we are trying to do here.”
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Reuters The allegations that China undermines the stability of Palau “is a long -standing, thorny, and completely fabricated nonsense.”
“Who builds military bases in Palau? Who wants to convert Palau into a strategic military site?” They added. “We urge the American side to stop staining China and China’s rides … and stopping the troubles in the region.”
When asked about a relationship with Alo with Taipei, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the countries that “still maintain the so -called” diplomatic relations “with the Taiwan region not to be blind and blind.”
Express Surangel Whipps JR. The head of Palau, for his support for the United States in February, called the Whipps JR Donald Trump to indulge with him to highlight the challenges of climate change he faced. On his first presidency, Trump brought three leaders in the Pacific Islands to the White House to participate in security issues.
“What it sees is important is the strong United States that can continue to be strong, it is beneficial to Palau and good for the planet,” said Weibes Junior earlier this month.
Palau president did not respond to Reuters Request to comment on Chinese effects.
But in his speech in a research tank in Sydney, Australia, earlier this month, he dealt with the crime issue on the island: “drugs, human trafficking, all these types of activities have a way to undermine the political structure.
“Online fraud or games that take place, they end up influencing politicians and things that occur in Palau.”