U.S. and Taiwan (2009)

U.S. Department of State

Ushering in Change: A New Era for U.S. Regional Policy in the Pacific

Alcy R. Frelick, Director for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island Affairs
House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment
Washington, DC
July 29, 2009

Chairman Faleomavaega, Ranking Member Manzullo, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to appear today to testify on U.S. policy towards the nations of the Pacific. I welcome the opportunity to address our policy towards this important region.

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I would like to discuss some of the many key challenges and programs we are engaged in as a nation with Pacific Island countries and address the specific questions included in your invitation to testify today. I will touch on our assistance in the region including within the Compacts of Free Association, and key issues with Palau and the Marshall Islands. I would like also to address how we are approaching global challenges and express our appreciation for the solid cooperation we enjoy in international fora like the United Nations. I'll cover the particular concerns we have about Fiji and finally talk about other regional players like Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and China.

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I am pleased to note since the election of President Ma in Taiwan, China and Taiwan appear to have curtailed their competition for diplomatic recognition from Pacific island states. The "checkbook diplomacy" conducted by the PRC and Taiwan undermined good governance and distorted political processes. We take this opportunity to encourage both parties to follow international norms of transparency to provide effective foreign assistance.

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