US–China Competition in Micronesia Heats Up

The crew of USCGC Oliver Henry rescues three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 9, 2024. Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

Commentary

In late May, a state-linked Chinese company broke ground on the renovation of a World War II-era airstrip on Woleai, a remote atoll about 400 miles south of Guam. The project is part of Beijing’s Southern Link strategy, which aims to connect Asia to South America through Pacific hubs designed for transit, logistics, and influence projection.