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By Ryan Chan
China News Reporter
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The United States and China continue to jostle for influence over Pacific island countries, having deployed naval vessels for humanitarian missions in recent days.
The U.S. Navy sent USS John L. Canley, a ship serving as an "expeditionary sea base," to Palau for the Pacific Partnership mission, while the Chinese naval hospital ship CNS Silk Road Ark reached Nauru during its South Pacific and Latin America deployment.
Why It Matters
China has gradually expanded its military footprint across the Pacific, including both the western and southern parts of the ocean. In response, the Pentagon has deployed some of its most capable naval vessels along three island chains in the western Pacific.
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The island chain strategy is part of America's effort to strengthen defense posture near China, aiming to project military power to deter and defend against Chinese aggression.
Facing China's increased influence in the South Pacific, including expanded diplomatic ties, the U.S. has reprioritized the region in its foreign policy by fostering economic growth, expanding infrastructure and connectivity and bolstering security cooperation.
What To Know
The John L. Canley arrived in Koror, Palau, on Monday for the Pacific Partnership mission, which also included stops in the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Philippines, the U.S. Navy said.
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The mission series, which began in 2006, aims to prepare for more effective responses to natural disasters while strengthening relationships and security ties. It is the largest multinational humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific.
"Pacific Partnership fosters multilateral cooperation and emphasizes a multinational and whole-of-government approach," according to the U.S. Navy, which stated that this provides a strong foundation of trust and enhances collective crisis response.
Meanwhile, approximately 2,300 miles east of Palau, the Silk Road Ark began a seven-day visit to Nauru on September 19 as part of its Harmony 2025 mission, the Chinese military said, marking the first visit by a Chinese naval ship to the island country.
The Chinese medical crew performed surgeries and provided other medical services for the local population the same day. The Silk Road Ark offers 20 specialized medical fields, including some not available locally, according to the Government of Nauru.
The Chinese Embassy in Nauru said that the hospital ship has "consulted over a thousand patients and performed nearly a hundred surgeries" in the four days since its arrival, building a bridge between China and Nauru.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Navy Captain Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander for Pacific Partnership, said in a press release on Monday: "It's wonderful for our mission to return to Palau, where we look forward to working alongside our multinational allies, partners, and friends as we prepare in calm for possible future time of crisis."
The Chinese Embassy in Nauru said in a Facebook post on Tuesday: "The Nauruan public got on board by ferry boat and enjoyed their tour of the Chinese Navy Hospital Ship [Silk Road Ark], which was mooring near the Aiwo Port. The first-ever visit provides the local public a good opportunity to learn about China's will and strength to maintain world peace and stability."
What Happens Next
According to a previous report, the Chinese naval hospital ship is scheduled to visit Fiji and Tonga next, before crossing the Pacific toward Latin America.
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