Governor makes statement regarding recent regional security developments

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula has joined Pacific leaders in condemning the People's Republic of China's test launch of a long-range ballistic missile into the South Pacific last week. In a statement, the Governor emphasized that the test has drawn understandable attention and concern throughout our region. While nations have the right to conduct military training, this demonstration of advanced capabilities and power projection into our shared waters highlights the shifting security environment in the Indo-Pacific and its direct implications for the people of American Samoa and our Pacific neighbors. He said American Samoa remains the United States' only territory and outpost in the South Pacific and Southern Hemisphere. “For 126 years, we have been an integral part of the United States. There is no more logical or elective location for America to demonstrate credible power, presence, and partnership in this part of the world than right here. “Our advocacy, alongside Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen, has consistently identified the core challenges facing our region. These concerns have only grown more urgent: 1. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing by foreign fleets, including those operating from China, threatens our marine resources, food security, and the economic foundation of our fishing communities. 2. Narco-terrorism and transnational criminal networks that traverse the South Pacific, linking South America to New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia, endangering our youth, families, and regional stability. 3. The race for critical minerals and rare earth elements, where China is aggressively positioning itself to dominate global supply chains.” He said the latest show of defiance and power projection into the South Pacific underscores the need for a sustained, visible American posture to promote stability and deter adventurism. “These realities make one conclusion inescapable: the time for the United States to invest in making American Samoa fixture-ready is now. Our long-neglected infrastructure, ports, airports, energy systems, telecommunications, and maritime facilities represent a strategic liability, not only for American Samoa but for the United States. In an era of great-power competition, and with the possibility of escalation over Taiwan or other flashpoints, this liability must be addressed proactively. “Smart, targeted federal investments through the Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation, Department of War, Department of Homeland Security, and other partners can convert this liability into a strategic asset. “Dual-use infrastructure improvements will position American Samoa as a capable forward-operating hub, providing logistics, presence, rapid response, and support across the South Pacific. Such investments will strengthen America's only territory in this hemisphere while also serving neighboring island nations through enhanced disaster response, maritime security, and economic connectivity. “Should tensions rise, a strengthened American Samoa ensures we are prepared for any eventuality. If calmer heads prevail and no conflict materializes, these same investments will deliver enduring returns: reinforcing U.S. influence under the American flag, advancing economic opportunity for our people, and demonstrating that the United States stands firmly with its Pacific family.” In conclusion, the Governor stated that the people of American Samoa are loyal Americans, resilient, and ready to contribute to our shared security and prosperity. We ask the federal government to match that loyalty with concrete partnership and resources. The moment to act is now, before circumstances force harder choices. The neighboring Independent State of Samoa also expressed its concerns regarding the intercontinental ballistic missile launched by the People's Republic of China into the Pacific Ocean. In an official statement, the Samoan government emphasized the importance of timely and transparent communication for maintaining regional peace and security. It acknowledged being informed through diplomatic channels after the July 6 missile launch, which China described as a part of its routine defense training and consistent with international law. Samoa reaffirmed its commitment to the Ocean of Peace Declaration and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, highlighting these as essential elements of the region's collective aspiration for peace and stability. The statement stressed that the Pacific should be viewed not as a battleground for strategic competition, but rather as a hub for unity and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Similarly, Tuvalu's Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo voiced grave concerns over the missile launch, stating that the Pacific region should not serve as a testing ground for military weapons. He reiterated the longstanding advocacy of Pacific nations for peace and security, free from nuclear threats, and condemned the missile test as a serious issue. In a strong condemnation, the Republic of the Marshall Islands also responded to China's missile test, recalling the painful legacy of nuclear testing that the nation has endured. President Hilda Heine’s office expressed its concerns over the implications of such military displays, urging China to clarify its intentions, given the historical context of nuclear testing in the region. The statement highlighted that, although China claimed the missile carried a dummy warhead, the apprehension surrounding the test was profound, particularly for a nation that understands the repercussions of nuclear activities in the Pacific better than most. Section: Local News Tags: REGIONAL SECURITY
2026-07-13 18:42:08