Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is sounding a note of caution to Pacific Islands nations that sign agreements with China for economic interests.
She points to the new visa exemption agreement between Samoa and China, and says it may make travel easier for their citizens, “but at what cost to the U.S. and other democracies’ economic and security interests in the region?”
Uifaatali said, “Some would say this is an aggressive wolf in sheep’s clothing move by China, beyond mere tourism or a basic trade development proffer.
“As we saw with Palau, China is very good at turning on the spigot of economic growth and, just as quick, to turn it off when their broader policy goals are not fully embraced. I caution my friends and my Samoan family, to be careful in their embrace, and maintain a safe distance at arm’s length before embracing further. Often the economic miracle promised by China does not appear in the closed loop of its implementation, and ends up greatly benefitting one side far more than the other.”
The Congresswoman noted that U.S. policy should be the reopening of regional fishing waters closed by the Obama/Bush administrations as a countermeasure to protect U.S. national interests in the region.
“Reopening fishing access, rebuilding the U.S. commercial fishing fleet, and enhancing U.S. Coast Guard presence with fast cutters in American Samoa are important steps that work together in defending the United States interests, and showing stronger U.S. commitment to the Pacific. In addition, both the United States Departments of State and Homeland Security, along with our local government, may need to reexamine tightening the entry requirements of people coming from Samoa to American Samoa, as a result.”
