Following the signing of a new agreement with the tiny Pacific island country, the United States has been given the authority to unilaterally enforce maritime regulations surrounding Palau. The US Coast Guard made the announcement on Tuesday.
The United States has been given authority to unilaterally enforce maritime regulations around Palau (Photo: MarineLink)
According to a Coast Guard official, under the new agreement, where the United States has been given the authority to unilaterally enforce maritime regulations surrounding Palau, U.S. Coast Guard ships can enforce regulations inside Palau’s exclusive economic zone on behalf of the nation without a Palauan officer present.
In the recent published report by FOX News, it comes as both the United States and China strive to increase their influence in the Pacific, despite rising tensions over Taiwan and long-standing territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei. The new pact, which gives the US the authority to unilaterally enforce maritime restrictions surrounding Palau, comes in response to the Palauan president’s request for Washington’s assistance in deterring Beijing’s “unwanted activities” in its coastal seas.
In June, Palauan President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. accused China of conducting surveying activities in Palau waters, emphasizing the need for additional US support to strengthen deterrence against China’s assertive maneuvers in the region. He also stated that his country was being punished by Beijing because of its attitude on Taiwan, pointing out that Palau is one of the few countries that recognizes Taiwan and maintains diplomatic relations with the island.
This agreement made with Palau is similar to one struck by the United States with the Federated States of Micronesia, another Oceanic island country in 2022, where the boardings can be done by the Coast Guard.
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The United States also inked a bilateral defense agreement with Papua New Guinea in May. Allowing the U.S. boardings will be conducted by the Coast Guard in the islet country’s exclusive economic zone.
According to AP News, as per to the US Coast Guard, the agreements shows “the United States’ ongoing investment in guarding participated coffers as well as an interest in maritime safety and security.”
The Coast Guard also stated “this concinnity of trouble with Pacific islet countries, including collaboration with Palau, strengthens our collaborative ability to cover coffers and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations that follow the rule of law.”
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