Washington Must Upgrade Its Pacific Strategy to Counter China’s Growing Reach
Recent Chinese missile tests and a secret security pact with the Solomon Islands have highlighted a widening power contest in the Pacific, prompting calls for a more robust U.S. strategy.
A Chinese submarine-launched ballistic missile test in July, which likely overflew the Philippines and passed south of Guam before landing in the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone, underscored Beijing’s growing reach after a secret 2022 security pact with the Solomon Islands. Regional leaders condemned the act as a deliberate escalation, exposing a strategic gap that the United States has struggled to fill amid years of limited focus on the islands.
While recent U.S. visits, aid packages, and Quad announcements signal renewed interest, the piece contends that piecemeal actions fall short of securing long-term influence. It calls for a permanent diplomatic presence, including a dedicated Pacific Islands Forum ambassador, expanded Coast Guard deployments, and joint maritime surveillance with allies. Further steps include increased FBI, DEA, and legal assistance, digital-infrastructure protection, and financing mechanisms to alleviate fuel and debt pressures. By institutionalizing low-cost, high-impact partnerships, Washington could preserve a free and open Pacific and avoid a defensive posture.
Why it matters
The Pacific is becoming a key arena for U.S.-China rivalry, affecting regional security and economic stability.
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