China-Skeptic Pacific Islands in Urgent Plea to US Congress Leaders

News Snapshot:

A group of Pacific Island leaders has raised the alarm over the failure to renew key agreements with the United States amid growing Chinese influence in the Pacific. In an urgent plea to leaders of the U.S. Senate, the presidents of three Pacific island countries, known for their skepticism towards China, have voiced their deep concerns about the future of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the United States. The renewal of key components of the Compacts has been agreed by both sides but is yet to be approved by Congress, raising concerns about Beijing making inroads into the...