Pacific Islands nations that sign agreements with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to advance their economic interests need to understand the implications of doing so, Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-A. Samoa) has warned.
She represents American Samoa, the southernmost territory of the United States, situated 3,500 kilometres (2,200 miles) southwest of Hawaii. It has a population of slightly less than 44,000 people but, being a U.S. protectorate, it is in no need of Beijing’s assistance.
Its neighbours are similarly small countries whose low taxation bases mean they struggle to pay for infrastructure and, in some cases, basic public services such as health and education, and rely heavily on foreign aid….