Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell’s recent trip to the Pacific Islands has been deemed “critical” by a maritime strategy specialist, highlighting the strategic importance of the region. Campbell led a U.S. delegation that visited Vanuatu to officially launch a new U.S. embassy after attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders meeting in Tonga. The visit is part of the White House’s Pacific Partnership Strategy, which was unveiled in September 2022 as a response to China’s increased influence campaigns and aggressive behavior in the South China Sea.
Experts have emphasized that access to the Oceania region is crucial for deterring potential conflicts over Taiwan, as it is a self-ruled liberal democracy claimed by mainland China. The Pacific Islands hold significant strategic value, as they served as bases for the U.S. military during World War II when they closed in on Japan’s empire in the Pacific theater.
China would benefit from denying U.S. forces access to these islands, giving them an advantage in potential armed conflicts and allowing them time to sort out their plans before American forces could arrive in sufficient numbers to counter aggression. Additionally, gaining access to these islands would provide Beijing with offensive options and extend its presence further into midocean.
Taiwan plays a crucial role in this scenario as well since it supplies most of the world’s top-end semiconductors and is part of America’s maritime strategy known as the first island chain.
While opinions differ on whether or not direct involvement from the United States would occur if China were to invade Taiwan, there has been an increase in arming and training Taiwanese military personnel for self-defense purposes.
It is essential for countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam – regardless of their system of governance – along with liberal democracies such as Japan and Taiwan itself should work together with Pacific Island states against China’s ambitions so that peace can be maintained within this region.
The article also highlights how Chinese assistance often comes with strings attached; undermining Taiwan has been one such condition tied to Chinese money provided within these islands’ nations.