Micronesian leaders urge people-first approach to US-China rivalry

Pacific scholars and security experts are warning that growing military competition between the United States and China must not come at the expense of the people, environment, and sovereignty of Micronesia.

Accoring to Marianas Press, the concerns were raised during a virtual forum organised by the Guam-based Pacific Center for Island Security in late October.

The forum examined the impact of military expansion, deep-sea mining and nuclear energy proposals across the region.

The forum also introduced the Micronesia Security Monitor, an online platform tracking military activities and developments across the region.

Former Guam congressional delegate Robert Underwood said military strength alone could not guarantee regional stability.

"We are living in a multipolar world in which military strength or military spending cannot affect everything-they cannot be the solution for everything," he said.

Defense experts discussed China's expanding maritime operations and the possibility of Washington shifting more of its military presence toward the Second Island Chain, which includes the Marianas, Yap, and Palau.

Defense scholar Jennifer Kavanagh said such a shift could bring increased military investment but also greater environmental pressures on island communities.

Saipan-born anthropologist Theresa "Isa" Arriola raised concerns about proposed deep-sea mining around the Mariana Trench, warning that federal plans to secure critical minerals could undermine local decision-making.

"An archipelago is not a stockpile," she said.

Former Federated States of Micronesia consul general Joe Enlet also stressed that US military agreements must respect traditional landowners and customary consent.

Meanwhile, Marshall Islands climate envoy Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner questioned proposals to introduce small nuclear reactors to Pacific islands, citing the region's history of nuclear testing and the availability of renewable energy alternatives.

Investigative journalist Rob Perez highlighted the environmental legacy of US military operations on Guam, including contaminated water sources and the loss of forest habitats.

The US military has maintained that it works with regulatory agencies to meet environmental standards and has undertaken wastewater, forest, and coral restoration initiatives.

Participants concluded that regional cooperation, transparency, and community involvement should play a greater role in security decisions, rather than leaving the future of Micronesia solely to Washington and Beijing.