Transcripts For CSPAN2 Administration 20240704

90 minutes. [background noises] this hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order. For thousands of years Pacific Islanders have been masters of the seat navigating oceans by canoe guided only by the stars. With Climate Change and globalization hitting their shores they have become innovators on how to save their heritage. There are over a million and a half americans and pacific pacificisland ancestry. Over 1000 citizens from freely associated state serving in the United States armed forces. This put people to people ties at the heart of our relationship to a part of the world that has been a vital and Strategic Interests of the United States. During world war ii u. S. Navy built an airstrip what is now the nation. But today it is the peoples republic of china that is planned to rebuild the former american airstrip. Beijing is signaling policing deals to provide cybersecurity and Community Policing assistance in the region. Since the islands change their recognition from taiwan to china, prc nationals have moved to the islands. Flooding the market with co distracting timber and fish and other resources. Bringing in tours and practices that threaten the natural environment. In some cases setting up transnational criminal operations that in the limited capacity of global Law Enforcement. All of this compounds the forces that drive young people to sear elsewhere. Developments are deeply concerning to the United States and our allies in the region like australia, new zealand, and japan. At the same time Pacific Island nations on the front lines of the Climate Crisis. Many are only a few feet above sea level. This makes them particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events on Climate Change. Not only could be uninhabitable in the coming decades a serious threat to important military installations. S series of extreme waves of damage and military base at the Marshall Islands. The base use of space and missile test range for the United States the department of defense and some of the armys most sophisticated tracking equipment. I am pleas b our engagement in the region. Building new embassies is not easy we all know that. Especially wetland in the ocean levels are rising. But i want to encourage the department to be creative and move as quickly as possible. Beijing will not slide out its efforts to gain influence in this important region, neither should we. Congress recently passed and funded for three Free Association nations we are glad it was enacted. For more than 40 years governede critical relationships printed by the administration has called the bedrock of u. S. Role in the pacific. I want to thank senator manchin, barrasso Ranking Member for their bipartisan leadership in getting the agreements across the finish line signed by the president also want to acknowledge the leadership of senator schatz and her ohno in regard to that agreement. I wish the same applied towarda bill and the administration outcompete chinas proposal which is proposed to get in this years budget. The u. S. Competition with china concerns almost every Single Member of our committee as well as most members of the United States senate. I appreciate the staff on both sides getting us about 80 there but we now need to reach the finish line. If we are serious about countering china i asked the Ranking Member to work with me and every member of this committee to finish the job the next work. I also want to thank our witnesses for appearing before us today. We have distinguished panel of witnesses i look forward to your presentations. I hope you will speak on about how we can speed up the expansion of a diplomatic presence, how we w australia, new zealand and japan and others to support and foster Economic Opportunities in the Pacific Islands. What we can our military installations to defend our National Security interest in the years to come recognize the great risk there. When finally asked cutely at mie failed to engage. I look forward to your testimony. That let me turn to distinguish Ranking Member senator risch. Thank you very much mr. Chairman. Before i prepared remarks let me say on the china issue, like the issues we are talking about this is a bipartisan favorite six as you i wrote you a letter we had a response but we should air these things privately and will continue. We had a long history of fr hearing just last Week Congress acted your new Free Association as you noted mr. Chairman. They are a promise to the three compact micronesian of the Marshall Islands. We partner with them to advance economic. Military and nations. To provide cooperation of Law Enforcement and training and much more. Further Security Partnership with the states are critical. World war ii we fought her way t american in those decades we stay for years t C Investments n and our partners in the end of Pacific Region. However in order to maximize the partnerships, the Administration Must adjust the policies to demonstrate u. S. Focus and commitment are not going anywhere. First diplomatic presence in this regions only serious work. Weve been too slow to get our diplomats firmly on the ground to push back against chinese ed about the lack of support for the diplomats we do have in the pacific. Nowhere isnt more evidence in the Solomon Islands. Already signing a major Security Agreement. The department asked for personnel for the post it did not ask for a single publi Affairs Officer to push back against the chinese propaganda. This is a large globe. Theres a lot of countries but my staff has been monitoring this particular region for numerous Important Reasons that i just mentioned. This isour people on the grounde there they must be able to do their job and advance u. S. Interests it is clear we are moving at the speed of■■a bureaucracy and not the speed of relevance. Ive sent five letters to secretary blinken urging a nuanced expeditionary approach to expansion for it and encourage using the flexibilities that my secure embassies construction and counterterrorism act provides to stand upur diplomatic presence and creating a Management Platform to improve support to these commissions. The Solomon Islands example brings me too a second issue, Security Cooperation. In addition to greater Chinese Military Law Enforcement other nations continue to explore security arrangements with china. In 2022 Pacific Island countried chinas push for regionwide Security Agreement. That was proof of what dedication to sovereignty and unity can achieve. Senate new security pack with us last years been approached by china about a new security arrangement. Chinese and police are present we note chineseight on other nations i like the departments of state and defense to discuss the implementation of a security pack and help the committee understand how this agreement serves our interest regionwide. I would also like it update on n where Chinese Security cooperation initiatives are causing the greatest concern and how we are working with our partners to address it. I would especially like the Defense Department to discuss australias role in security for islands. We all know there is certainly more to it than that. Finally i like it updated Economic Development in this region. Im aware of our work from Illegal Fishing but want to know what other concrete projects we are pursuing. I want real details on this not just descriptions about creating and enabling Stakeholder Networks et cetera, et cetera. We note some chinese projects like a hospital in fiji did it backfire. This means the u. S. And their partners need to get our act together more q■ uick. He chair. Lex thank you for opening comments we will always attempt to Work Together on all issues. Including this region. I want to welcome all three of our witnesses to todays hearing. I will introduce you that will have approximate five minutes give your Opening Statements for your entire statement without objections will be made part of the record. Welcome assistant secretary. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and is been american diplomat since 1994. He has served in numerous post in the end of Pacific Region including most recently as a former u. S. Ambassador to vietnam. Assistant secretary, welcome. Assistant secretary of defense for indo pacific security afirs and also along with this committee under then chairman bidens you get special privileges you can speak for five minutes and 10 seconds. [laughter] he has also served as a Senior Advisor on china to the secretary of defense. Then we have assistant administrator who is no stranger to this committee and we welcome his return to st 419 his capacity usaid to talk about his work on the Pacific Island region for it again we will give you an extra 15 seconds because you netWork Together when i was chair of the subcommittee. He is a former Senior Advisor and counselor in the Foreign Relations committee covering issues related to the end of pacific. In theory should be able to anticipate and answer every one of our questions. He also brings an abundance of e from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where he served as Deputy Assistant secretary of defense for East Asia Program officers of the stanley responsible for the Foundation Asia program. With that we will start production mr. Chairman, in it for just a moment . I like to note is actually from nebraska so maybe he should get 10 seconds for that . [laughter]c absolutely the committees getting a little out of hand. [laughter] i understand, mr. Secretary . Secretary . Ranking member and members of this committee, thank you very much for convening this hearing and theb< opportuni t testify on your strategy and is strategically important Pacific Island region. And arent original by my colleagues in the department of defense and usaid today andunded Pacific Island is here as well and honored by his presence as well. Th United States is a pacific nation. We share longstanding historic and cultural ties to the Pacific Island neighbors. The history are inextricably linked spirit u. S. Prosperity and security depend onregion frs and secure and resilience. Pacific islands are important partners in a global issues, standing together at the un on human rigs in opposrussias illd invasion of ukraine to contributing to Global Security peacekeeping operations and tackling the Climate Crisis as well as combating illegal unreported and unregulated fishing. The Pacific Islands face significant challenges to their security and their prosperity including Climate Change and economic shocks making the region more vulnerable to influence from the has said the prc is the only country with both the intent to reshape International Order and increasingly economic diplomatic military and technological power to do it. That certainly holds true in the pacific. Through foreign least cap short robust public messaging campaign prc has moved aggressively to assert itself in the Pacific Islands. Three Pacific Island countries has switched diplomatic ties from taiwan to the prc. In 2022 as the chairman unprecedented Security Agreement with the prc the details of which have not been publicly released. Of course, as we have often said we are not in the business of forcing countries to choose. Neither in the pacific nor anywhere else. We do it to ensure countries in the pacific have a choice and the ability to make their own sovereign decisions free from coercion. Under the administration and a pacific strategy and Pacific Partnership strategy of the nine states has expanded diplomatic and Development Engagement with the Pacific Islands. President biden has convened two summits to engage with Pacific Island leaders on shared priorities including Climate Change, trade investment, and a free and open he First Pacific d summit in 2022 we have announced plans to work with congress to provide over a billion dollars in new funding and programs. We open embassies in the Solomon Islands in 2023. We will open an embassy lady this year. We also continued to work the governments on our plan to open an embassy there. We recognize the cook islands as sovereign and independent states. Peace corps volunteers have returned to fiji we plan to return later this year end in 2025. We appoint to the firstever u. S. Envoy to the Pacific Islands form to enhance cooperation with the region leading foreignpolicy body. Presence and assistance of the coast guard and maritime awareness programs. In 2023 signed a defense Cooperation Agreement which will increase or engage with the cou. We also work with partners to increase Internet Access in the pacific. Together with australia for Pacific Island countries. Weve announced her intention six and a Million Dollars over 10 years beginning with fy 24 request in support of a new economic Assistance Agreement related to the South Pacific treaty which is critical to the economy has been a cornerstone of our relationship in the region for over three decades. Our strategy is multilateral aua japan new zealand and the United Kingdom launch the partners in the blue pacific and informal strategic Coordination Initiative guided by pacific priorities. Since its inception the grouping has expanded for additional partners and its enough tangible initiatives on disaster relief, resilience, cybersecurity and ocean and fishery research. U. S. Shares relationshipsf the s and the federated of micronesia. Ecice would provide in support of those compacts are key to maintaining stability and prosperity of our closest Island Partners and safeguarding our shared longterm defense and Strategic Interests in the region. I want to sincerely thank the congress and members of this committee for aronts and authorizing the necessary funding authorities on a bipartisan basis. That will allow us to move steadily ahead and our partnership with is vitally important countries. In conclusion i wish to reiterate the Pacific Region critical importance to the United States and our longterm strategi interests. I look forward to work with congress this committee to continue our renewed engagement across the pacific in an era of increased geostrategic much. Chairman cardin, distinguished members of the committee. Thank you for inviting me too testify about how the department of defense is contributing to peace and security across the Pacific Island. Here is my good friends two underscore the whole ofvernment. From a National Security perspective the Pacific Islands form an essential part of a strategically vital region. Are crucial to the logistics and projections throughout the region moreover hundreds of billions of dollars and maritime trade flow to the Pacific Islands continental united the pacific. Strengthening our accident and security tiesod plays a significant role in deepening these partnerships defense posture and presence. Is also posture in hawaii and guam, to highlight a few areas doubling down on freely associated states. Building capacity to security sy eration and conducting humanitarian disaster were working together allies and partners zealand. Attention and resources reflect the significance of this r i like to take a moment to underscore the importance of a compacts of Free Association with the federated states of micronesia on the Marshall Islands. For decades have anchored an economic asstance delivered under the compacts. Including critical leadership but members of this committee on the 2040s to the appropriation bill the President Biden signed last week. Last year france at the state department negotiated strong deals providing necessary funding was one of the most important Things Congress can do to advance our priorities in the end the pacific. Defense eer diplomats all agree and we did. The compacts ensure maintain a military presence in the freely associated states serve in the u. S. Military. These agreements provide assured access for operations and would be adversaries from accessing Sovereign Land airspace in territorial waters. Part of the end the pacific that is larger than the continental United States. Mr. Chairm÷wan we also know prcs drawing from a range of coercive tools in an attempt to longstanding u. S. Partnerships influence. In recent years these activities have included covid efforts to bribe local officials, economic pressure against sovereign nation against taiwan and illegal unreported unregulated fishing that harms both the environmen a economies. Mr. Chairman, our commitment to the Pacific Island to peace, stability and prosperity in the end of p will endure. The department of defense looks forward to continued work with congress in this endeavor. What we have achieved but not of been possible without your support. Delivering meaningful results in the years ahead we will continue urgency to resources and the Strong Partnership with capitol hill thank you for your time and attention i look forward to your yielded back to my alumni. Were very mindful you know how to get on the good side of the committee. Administrator theres no pressure on you on time. [laughter] nking member risch, members of the committee thank you for inviting me too testify has working■v the only way for us to tackle the complex problems drawing on whole of government approach is offered. We learn the hard way when without the other or is not a sustainable pathway to success. Said passive partner key role in advancing free and open secure resilient Pacific Region. Ou relationship Mutual Respect shared history and shared values of diversity fairness and freedom. And consistent with the pacific way it starts with listening. Last august had the privilege of joining usaid administrator at the■■s■ ong Pacific Island mission in fiji intercountry Representative Office in Papua New Guinea. It was a critical milestone delivered on the promise made by the president illustrating usaid is on the ground to listen, partner and deliver together with the islands butated the uns has hurt our Pacific Partners loud and clear. Our vision for the pacific inviting our first ever framework for the Pacific Islands proved march 2022 reflects our shared aspirations. Its listening to the voices of the region and rolling up our sleeves to partner and deliver on our commitments. We are ensuring our engagement with the region is guided by the Pacific Islands respects existing architecture to Pacific Islanders. In contrast to the approach of the peoples republic of china. We are clear art about prc and intent secretary blinken has offered we have no objection in any country including prc. On the contrary if it helps generate a race to the top that is a good thing. However, in recent years we have a range of increasingly problematic behavior in the region. Predator activities, including illegal unreported and unregulated fishing and investments underline Good Governance and promote corruption. Usaid offers Pacific Island countries a different way a tailored Development Model responsive to their needs and their aspirations. Rooted in economic trade and integration and inclusivity locally Led Solutions and the Democratic Values that can positively transform our shared plan. Usaids work is designed to address with the region itself is defined as its own most pressing challenges. Climateh democratic Governance Infrastructure and Economic Growth meeting these goals depend on on enhancing our cooperation with local communities, as well specific d organizations including the Pacific Island for this Pacific Community in papua new guine expanding access for renewable energy, protecting the countrys environment, combating the aids epidemic, addressing genderbased violence, promoting peace and stability. We have partnered with australia and japan to support the development of an undersea cable spur that will cst undersea cable and increase reliable safe and secure internet bandwidth to spark Economic Growth. Apartments at all level students the countrys economic competitiveness and inclusiveness with specificg the agribusiness sector and improving Natural Resource governance. Through usaid climate ready activity we mobilize more than five or 50 million for Pacific Island countries to access to ao climate finance from various institutions under Green Climate fund for the Adaptation Fund and the Global Environmental facility. We are also responsible not responding directly to requests from governments for Economic Growth. Flexible finance facility value at the 50 million to expand access to fair and competitive financing■. R micro small and Medium Enterprises in the islands. Usaid the developed finance corporation are now bringing together comparative advantages to fulfill this commitment. Lastly the United States remains one of the largest bilateral humanitarian disaster donors in the pacific. Providing yearround disaster preparedness, responsiveness and resilience to enable the Pacific Island nations to more effectively lead their own disaster responses across all these efforts usaid works directly of likeminded allies and workers to a mechanism on the partner simply pacific. Y th. Mr. Chairman, senator risch, members of the committee usaid investment the Pacific Island regions a vision that animates not just in this regionound the. Thank you for your support and providing us the necessary resources to implement our strategy and our policy with partners the pacific. And the opportunity to share usaid in this important region of the world for a look forward to your guidance into your questions for. Agaes not just for their appearance here but for whatou do. It is true the United States■ is a pacific nation with one island state the place an order for questioning sender s been our leader on the Pacific Island issues. Thank you very much mr. Chairman Ranking Member and thank you all for being here. I also want to recognize secretarygeneral for our continued and productive engagement parties in the audience and his finance minister of here. I want to start provid 4. 5 million for the resilience facility. Can you talk about the importance of prf and how you see it as a mechanism for the kind engagement secretary blinken have talked about . We are all on a bipartisan basis in the middle of executing. But as i talked to they are prioritizing the Pacific Resilience facility. I want to talk about why we made the First Investment and why we should considered continued investment. Opportunity to be here today. I would underscore you said. Slad leaders with the top needs are to study the Pacific Island forms only strategy. And then to make sure we meet the needs that are outlined in that strategy. And the number one need they have outlined is the existential challenge of Climate Change. To show off support for it immediately Pacific Islanders where they livepeak. That initial investment is designed to build a local local resilience and capacity to combat change. It is j beginning of what we are doing and what we need to do. We will need to do going forward. Colue have more details on the implementation on the ground. I cannot agree more with the climate issue. I am sorry, i want to pivot a little bit to something that you said. That you said in your testimony about predatory economic arrangements with Pacific Island nation. At least in the last three or four years has been to really listen. To try to respond, to understand these are sovereign. They are not colonies. They are not insularity and to be more sensitive to that. And understand as sovereigns get to have whatever econoc partnerships make the most sense to them. I would like for you to make the case of these economicements ard for some of our friends across the pacific. Assistant secretary offered, fully records her partners are sovereign and they can make more and should make their own choices. And just to support them in that process. And that is that we seek to do. But, as we look at behavior in the pacific, we see it we are violating a bit established by the international community. That negatively impacts the Pacific Island and the Economic Growth. So for example investment in the Telecommunications Sector years. Vulnerable to Cyber Security risks and other National Security concerns. With likeminded and partnering with Pacific Island friends to ensure they have the options they need for fast, secure, and reliable connectivity. Am sorry to interrupt. When you go into a partnership with prc on harbor or whatever it may be, what is the catch on the backend . Whats the catch on the backend for the partners is often times the prc is not motivated by developing an economic viable and sustainable program. But is motivated other geostrategic considerations. And will work for a project this not economic, not sustainable and leaves the partner saddled with debt. Final question. Thank you very much. Final question this is either s or no or as quick as you can do. How important is it i guess its not yes or no how important is it to ratify . Will senator, i think secretary blinken spoke about this before. It will be very effective to our diplomacy in the region. Maybe underscore my colleagues point where of course countries make their own decisions in their own choices. Whom to make sure they can do that freely. Often times they find it deals with the chinese can undermine countries sovgn thank you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Can you describe for challenges or irony or difficulties there areng diplomn the eap in an area you oversee . Is it difficult . Is it challenging . What is unique about it. The challenge to serve diplomats . Two things here. There are certain challenges because we need to make sure we have diplomats who are ready to serve her were truly creative and expeditionary and conservatives are most important but some of our smallest environments. But ive been really gratified mr. Ranking member thus far theres been a lot of enthusiasm for service in the pacific. As i noted, in addition to previously operating six embassies we open to new ones and we have two more on t we had people step up in every instance including both at the senior level and the working level. We appreciate that. We have tried to help. Yes, sir. You know i pass the secure Embassy Construction counterterrorism act, i ams assume you are familiar with that. It was in 2022 and provides a state with much needed flexibility to stand up. Yes or precooked thats specifically useful in the Pacific Island parts and you are hearing your bos you had the opportunity to explain to me why he is only answered two out of the five letters i have written about the subject to him at one of those two he answered we just got this week. I see it. Is bent over long period of time for. When you see them and tell me want to chat with him. I will look into that immediately we are grateful to you and other members of this committee for your support because of your support we have been able to open our two new embassies in record speed and i am confident we will do the same in the very near future and we are still working but grateful for the support precooks appreciate that. Second, the law we discussed requires the secretary issue official guidance on implementing, that is not been done. I dont suppose you can enlighten me as tot might be done . I cannot but i will look into it. Take that for the record please. Yes, sir. Okay. Ive been intrigued by the fact the chinese have been modestly successful and these agreements they have entered into with some of the countries. When we go out to try to work with the country we offer things in food or medicalo area, or education, or human rights, things like that the chinese focus on policing agreements. I think i know why but can you enlighten us why the chinese focus on that . Senator, i believe the prc is focused on policing agreements at the mechanism which which they can support and gain leverage over host regimes requests o the population itself would you agree with that . Yes. That we thought about at all offering the same kind of services . Because certainly for the people who run the country obviously security becomes number one particularly their own security and hopefully being able to stay in office. It seems like thats a pretty attractive bait to put out there to get countries to bite you. Have you guys thought at all about making some kind of offers like that . The Defense Department has a number of Security Cooperation activities and military to military cooperation aivities islands we have not done internal policing and support in that regard reduce defer to chuck it was of t■fhe programs there. I understand that by the way they are two different lanes the military and policing are very, very different lanes obviously one omestic one not. I can speak to that very briefly. Region but perhaps even more importantly we Work Together with partners in the pacific family and fiji, australia and new zealand who have a longstanding tradition of helping countries in the region is quite alternatives we think deeply concerning. I think we are all up, i would strongly suggest you guys revisit your efforts in that regard and see how you might be able to make a more attractive so when they do bite on the hook that it is our hope so thank you, my time is up. Quick senator menendez. Is it fy China Remains it is our hope and not the chinese. So thank you, my time is up. Quick senator menendez. Secretary, is it fair to say China Remains in important maal resource exports. And tourism. Yes senator thats an accurate statement. The belton Road Initiative with infrastructure development. I do not know that figure i. I am pretty sure its 10. Yes, sir. So is also fair to say since china is the Economic Force within t region we are challenged in terms of our own National Interest in meeting the Economic Force with one that can compete with it. Senator, i would agree with that but i would say having engaged extensively with her island friends of the last couple of years the demand signal engagement is probably as strong as ive ever seen in any region. Certainly there economic engagements with china that are important to these countries and we are not asking countries to choose. But it is clear to of our Pacific Island friends to have options. They have a desire to part of the unitedo i agree with you they would like to have options. The problem is, we provide them no option i trade agenda. There is no trade agenda of consequence with the Pacific Island countries. And, they therefore do not have an option for the Economic Vitality and welbeing of their citizens they are somewhat hostage to china. We have certainly tried to meet their needs. How so . As i indicated sir our strategy is based on meeting their needs in terms of security, combating Climate Change, Infrastructure Investment and the like. Our focus has been primarily in those sectors. We also promote Good Governance and people people ties as well. Those are all worthwhile things mr. Secretary and some of things ive advocated for for the better part of nearly two decades of being here in the senate in three decades of congress. But, lets be realistic that if we do not have a robust trade agenda in the Pacific Island countries that they will, not by desire but borten by default ultimately deal with the chinese. The urgency of Climate Change mike there is a lot more that we should be doing as it relates to Climate Change. Our collective interest as well as a global interest that we have. Its really an existential challenge or Pacific Island and so i just hope the administration gets to a better place because it is a nice framework. But is not deal with Market Access at the end of the day. Without marketess i think we are going to be at a competitive disadvantage with china. Its good to see you back before thee adopted the state departments ways of expanding beyond the five minutes. I hope thats the only thing you adopt from that experience. Let me just to say our colleague was trying to get to this. At the end of the day isnt what china often does through its initiative is to trap in debt diplomacy . That is exactly the behavior pattern that we have seen were china offers what appears to be an attractive proposition. But the backside of debt andnt n additional openings for corrupt practices create Serious Problems on the line too. They entrap and not only in debt but entrapped them in their political diplomatic. Yes. G leverage it finds itself provokes family secretary ratner in march of 22 the islands of china signed a Security Agreement aiming in part to address quote internal threats including businesses in the cou. In 20 through the two countries signed a deal on Police Cooperation is part of their comprehensive strategic partnership. While i certainly applaud lesters opening of the embassy and the sovereign islands, what tools is the United States using and utilizing to encourage the Solomon Island commitment to continue working with the United States and australia and security senator, again i would defer that particularly on the question of policing. But, as it relates to the department of defense role grout the Pacific Islands of much of our cooperation depends on the na the island, their size and the resident for sister three Pacific Islands that have militaries so we maintain a military to military relations with them and maintain status as partner of choice there. We have a number of section triple three Capacity Building programs we had dod state Partnership Programs through our National Guard program. We do a number of regular exercises with Pacific Island islandpartners and we are deeply engaged with australia, new zealand, france, japan, and other partners. My time is expired but thats not the question or seeking the answer too. For the record since my time har that question for me . What are we doing to get the islands to be aligned with us particularly Inter Security thank you. Ith austria think it mr. Chairman. Senator menendez im going to follow up on for example we have seen them extradite people from fiji of chinese dissidents and so forth. Once the prc gets a hole of the Security Force what kind of malign influence they can exercise in those countries . Thank you center for the question. As we indicated steeply concerning we see these agreements inc. They are opaque. They cause concern within the individual countries and across i think our most effective approaches we continue to engage with every partner in the pacific including those who sign these agreements. T effectively k with others in the regions to share those concerns. Who could also quietly convey the depth of our concern and offer alternatives. Thus the crux of our entire approach. Music of the countries option. Offerings from these■u countries . Produce a Counter China what can we do to counter that . Lawenforcement Training Programs active throughout the pacific. But providing us an explicit alternative and boots on the ground so to help these forces s are partners like fiji, Papua New Guinea australia and new zealand have Police Forces on the ground and many of these countries. I think thats the most effective way forward and again finding that solution that is comfortable with friends in the pacific is the most effective way for including the countries i mentioned help to provide Security Training places like the Solomon Islands . Id have to look at the details of each country but yes we do provide training in the region. And again our partners in the pacific in particular are very active because they have Police Forces on the ground in many of these places. Can you also talk a little bit about prc linked organized crime in these places and how it undermined security can you talk about what we kbout that and how that may relate to the Security Issues . Senator i do not have a great deal depth on that ill probably have to bring them back. But certainly we think about some areas were countries ought to be cautious about their engagement china part leverage and the coercive avenues that are opened up for the government but part of it is related to organized crime as well but for any details i have to take that back and i be happy to do so. Can you talk any detail when Security Forces on the ground and some these countries and how the prc then uses that to suppress who dissidents who may be there or anything like that . That is the surname very clear concern voiced by partners, citizens of countries where these forces have been and others in the region. I am not sure if we hav s that s certainly the concern i think secretary ratner indicated when we have seen china do this elsewhere often times are looking for an avenue to get in the door so to speak. And to expand security arrangements from there and said that would be of deep concern to many in the region including ourselves. Can you talk about, office of the taiwan they switched diplomatic ties again to the prc. How much awareness do we have of that in the state department . August of this is not the it has happened what are we doing to try to flip them back to there is a history for some of these countries of flipping back and forth. So there is that precedent. The excuses that were used by the prc including certain economic inducements and you and the General Assembly resolution which was misused and misinterpreted. To the three remaining partners of taiwan and the region is again countries ought to be careful and clear about arranging into these arrangements in china will oftes make many promises that remain unfulfilled that have negative consequences. With the three remaining partners the former diplomatic partners we wk very carefully and closely with them to make sure their needs are met. Close off any opportunities that china could exploit. Do they know theyre going to do that right for the Taiwan Elections . There are concerns and we will work with partners to meet those. In this instance they decided. There is a history and some of these places and going back and forth and we will have to see. I will just say again we issued a public same at rafters. Every countr isolemnecision to make their own decision including recognition questions. We do encourage countries to be cautious and careful given a prc. Thank you, senator. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, secretary administrator i want to ask a question related to local Media Information space. We talked a lot about the need for western engagement we recognize many cases china it mightbe the only player in towne prc is actively engaged in local Media Information. ej■ doing to counter that activity . Mr. At the secretary. Mr. Chairman, thank you, a very important question but i will mention two critical efforts at the outset. First and every place we have a presence on the ground to make sure there is alternative messaging to the prc there. Our partners in the region have a choice and have accurate information. Secondly, we are working on programs with short partners in the region with access to credible newswires and the like with the a others. So again, a newspaper for example on the ground and not completely dependent but has other options for those of the two i would mention at the outset mr. Chairman. In addition to the cable spur project that i had talked about earlier with state colleagues supporting free and independent press in the region. Including through a number of journalism fellowships. Particularly targeting journalists interested on Natural Resource management as it addresses a number of corruption and governance concerns that we have. And then we also recently launched university of the South Pacific digital cyber connectivity partnership. Reon getting from our partners. To provide them the Digital Services they need to be able to control their own information. This is an area that we really need to work on. I am going to turn the gavel to senator kaine. I have to be on the floor in regards to nominee for haiti. We will be voting on the confirming ambassador for haiti which is extremely important in our Foreign Policy decisionmaking. To let me thank you all. We will recognize senator romney. You know, i dont watch us as closely as a note you do to see what china is doing. But i must admit it strikes me plan to establish Global Leadership and replace us. Thats international institutions, insinuate themselves in leadership, whether it is the movement away from democracy generally an autocracy Freedom House indicates the trend continues again. This year they domine certain Raw Materials for the Raw Materials of the future whether it is nickel, magnesium, or rare earth dominate the mining of those things. Or the processing of than they put in place the rail lines get the raw material to their ports. They own the port and they have tiktok which allows them to gather data on the American People and to provide propaganda as they did in the Taiwan Election with the tiktok algorithm there. Way. Onhe technologies and businesses whether to electric vehicles or solar panels which allow them potentially our fleet. You look at the things they do a very effective strategy. If we have a strategy to Counter China it is not working. Whats hiding two years ago or longer the chairman of this committee and i requiring the state to gather internally and external input. Experts with different points of view to create options and develop a china strategy. We included that in legislation that was passed. It was due toeo this committee and to the congress in june of 2022. So now call me oldfashioned i thought we passed a law and required the state department to do something that they would do it. In the state department has not where someone has not and i dont understand why. I can understand people say it were late, we will get it to you. But apparently the work has been done but this is not been provided. If its classified, let it be classified. But china from what i can tell has a game plan and is succeeding. We doot i recognize whether we do or not we are not succeeding. So why do we not have this i hand and when will we . You knew that was coming by the way. Thank you, senator. I will say two things w strategd publicly the pillars of that strategy invest, align, compete too. Three words does strategy. It is a wonderful headline invest alliant compete but the secretary gave a speech of that nature over t years ago, three years ago i said thats terrific thats exactly right but we need a comprehensive strategy. Describe a few things china hhe. We do not have that. At least it is not been provided to this committee are to the nine States Congress or the American People and we arategic. If you look at actions this administration has taken investing in our sources, the aligned piece which is unprecedentedly successful, alignment with allies and world, and the actions we have taken to compete against china, including protects sources of our omic strength at home and many other domains, i am confident we have a strategy or china strategy is succeeding, has been successful. This is an unprecedented challenge. I commit to being responsive to your request. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Senator duckworth. Thank you to all of the witnesses for being here. To start, congratulations to joseph yun. And team that worked over with c of Marshall Islands. And palau. This is important to our National Security. I am glad we can highlight it today. Over a thousand citizens of Previous Associated states serve proudly in u. S. Military. They are more than just Good Neighbors in the pacific, they serve alongside us, study, innovate and trade today with us, they should not be put in a to doubt our commitment to continuing our decades Long Partnership or our ability to to right the wrongs of the past, including compensation for damages caused by past nuclear testing, secretary ratner, i in. The fy2024, mandated an our plans and report recognize vastness of the pacific. We have reokay lined asset to honolulu to better meet heightened demand signal. Alliances have vastness of scale of the region. Thank you senator. I will tell you that department is looking at the evolution of our command and control structures throughout indopacific not just current but potential, reforms of that. That looks like down the road is something were taking a look back. And will the National Defense strategy is laser focused on the p a has informed a lot of our resourcing as it relates to Pacific Islands including in major posture, initiatives in Pacific Islands and on going exercises, were doing all to leverage our allies and partners who have great contributions to make down there, we have stepped up our gain, and doubling down in places like Papua New Guinea. Thank you. I feel responsible to ensure there is a strong interagency coordination to press National Security challenges last week, i spoke with commanders of centcom and africom how important it is. But also, the interagent to ensure robust world nationa. Cross defense functions in the■j region. Thank you senator, i will refer to the specific staffing, but 100 agree with your point, a broader point to make. Even as it relates to our Security Issues and other departments agencies are fundamental contributions to our security in the region, when we talk about concerns about chinas influence, and about military resourcing and funding some of our economic programs are critically important, we work very closely with the state department and usaid, i know admiral, hosted the regional ambassador conference, attended we, talking every chance we get, opportunities to integrate or posture inln our military strategy with our assistance and diplomacy. That speaks strongly to the importance of our presence in the region. This. And contact of cofarc, we know our failure to pass budget on time did nothing to help the case. With leadership in the world, but now that coffa funding2c has passed your assessment of whether u. S. Is providing a unified present in front of our allies and partners. In your opinion is u. S. Strategy that project our strength but our values that makes case of United States is a responsleacific power and democracy actually does deliver, you know that prc is making opposite argument. Our investment n be visibly american, what more can we do to enforce our reputation. Thank you senator. On issue of interagency cooperation and the agreements, i am confident in work that we have done. Together with your colleagues at white house. Our colleagues at department of interior as well. I am confident about that going. My experience, i feel well aligned with most on the ground. I could not agree more, thank you and this congress for leadership passing coffa is one of most important things we could have done. Unders bidenharris administration, really linking together will elements of our National Security. Community to be able to deliver to our partners, and as you offered senator duckworth, to present that unified face that demonstrates americas added value as a partner and a friend in the region. As offered earlier, our approach has been to listen, partner and deliver. To your point, delivery is just as critical as any of the other pieces. I think we have stepped up our game in past couple of years if i could ask you to summarize were overtime. My apologizes mr. Chairman, i was going to of president made commitments at recent Pacific Island summits state department, and department of the defense have moved out quickly to implement and make sure were showing up. Thank you i apologize to senator hagerty. Good discussion. Thank you for mr. Chairman, welcome. Secretary ratner. Good to see all 3 of you, i would like to talk with you about the Investment Strategy that we do undertake, each of you have different tools, you have strategic that will i would like to hear about. Shiver you have Microfinance Program you are dealing with. And the strategy documents that you put together. Deeply concerned about our ability to show up, particularly with hard infrastructure. In the region. I may have shared it with some of you, when i was in my previous control, as ambassador to japan, i reading in nikkei, asia about a bankruptcy under way in thems philippines, a south korean shipyard. Two bidders names were of concern to me. And i reached out appropriate people, found out they were affiliated with the prc, trying to take control of a strategy i strategic shipyard that was old u. S. Navy. In the 80s. I wont go into details, but, we put a tremendous amount of effort to address that suation,hakosset is now called agila shipyard, a u. S. Asset, a Strategic Asset for us, we got it done by me making a lot of phone calls. The state department, department of defense, coming together on an ad hoc basis. Servers Capital Management in new york taking an important leading role and japanese government stepping up and helping us. We worked with Philippine Government and japanese government and u. S. Governnt took better part of two years to get to work. The Development Finance corporation, i thought would be the tool was unable to participate in this. A lot of effort and elbow grease but not direct participation, i start with you secta talk about the new office for Strategic Capital is this a means a tool by which you might be able to do hard infrastructure, i know you are talking technology here there are tools to play a more direct role. Yes, i can will get back to you specifically on office of Strategic Capital as it relates to Pacific Islands, with infrastructure we have a number of mayor posture, initiatives in the Pacific Islands. In the cova states in Marshall Islands and palau, we have Major Projects underway. And last year, concluded a defense Cooperation Agreement. And one indopaycom site survey team down. I would encourage you to look a philippines too. There are more assets there. We have should a great strategic interest, i would be happy with the relationship that we built with Philippine Government and direct that is going, we have a lot of opportunity there. Could you speak to this in terms of your thoughts. As you prepare the strategic document, i would love to hear how thisnfrastructure piece would fit in. Thank you for your leadership on philippines, still one of the best textbook examples of a su doing right now is were focused with other partners and investment in key infrastructuren region, the sub sea cable is where we have been most active, the work on google cable and elsewhere we partnered with australia, coinnocence maritime infrastructure. Were focused on infrastructure issues, and giving countries option in region, and to is under swore the budget request. There is a 4 billion request and mandatory funding mandatory in particular is designed to allow United States to be able to fund hard infrastructure projects. And to invest in what we call the strategic connectivity projects in t region. Thank you, all. Thank you. Thank you to the witnesses. Ill do my questioning now then call on senator young. I am a big fan of the framework in indopacific, this announced framework by President Biden of a couple of years ago powerful going forward, i have home state equities involved as well, pillar one submarine portion of deal involves a lot of work at shipyard in newport news, virginia, this is a thank you to this committee, secretary ratner about 10 days before the Defense Committee marked up in june, the pentagon sent a group to meet with me in theid e chairman of sea power is up committee we need this language in the nbaa will you help us, i said no, none of this i cant ndit is in fn Relations Committee we really helped get the framework through Foreign Relations committee by time the nda hit the floor we were able to atop of the legislative framework to defense bill on the floor, thank you to this committee for working expeditiously to make it happen. Were still in process this in kay while nda has been signed. We have a supplemental bill that passed in house. One piece of that has been proven dealing with the ocus frame work to make sure we can match investment when aussies are putting in to enable to complete this part of the project. From pentagon stand point, i would like you to talk about important of ocus framework in terms of stability if indopacific, i think we need to do more education of American Public any others about it. Thank you senator, this is an absolute top priority in so far as our undersea capabilities critical to deterrents. We apply our all that is is more powerful deterrent, you mentioned submarine building president s budget request for fy 25 would provide 4 billion toward submarine Industrial Base and National Security supplemental on top of that, that is critical to keep pace with the challenge. One quick story about sub ra marine building, navy stood up Manufacturing Center of excellence in danville, virginia, my last visit it was heart warming to walk in■h■c classrooms and see not only u. S. Shipbuilders from country but also aussies who have been dispatched here from Australian Companies to learn side by side with our american counterparts, and i noticed each of the classrooms, also included a number of afghans afghans who served bravely with u. S. In afghanistan, they moved to United States, they are looking for a new career, they decided to be a shipbuilder, and watching the aussies and afghans and young people from danville with their conflicting accents, learns side by side, was really positive. The other piece of ocus is the pillar 2 is anything else, it is focused on and advae technology invasion, one of the opportunity for partnership between r■5■ esearch universities in u. S. , australia, and the u. K. And innovative companies, my sense is in same way that u. S. Has alliances that are strong and that is seen by chinas threatening, we have deep ties between universities, in our country and australia and the u. K. And other nations. And i think that is a kind of an alliance that is power full. From the state department ain point looking at pillar 2 what do you see as ways to cooperate with australia and the u. K. To find newnologies on which we can cooperate to promote stability in the region. Agree with the way that you framed it, tremendous opportunity, under pillar 2 as well for corporations, among our three countries. And as you know, we have indicated were open to potentially operating with other countries this is important area thank you. If the big 12 can have 16 teams, then the quad can have 8 members or nations that whose names are not in title, ill go to senator young. Thank you, chairman. Really encouraged you asked about pillar 2 of what i was going to followup oemphasizing importance of that piece of the rel. And the hightech companies, are just really exciting to me, thank you to the state department for your empsis on implementing that. I would like to turn to topic of Illegal Fishing activities. China has the leading aggressor in Illegal Fishing throughout the region. Affected economies of each country that relies on this industry, china threw their illegal activities have diverted all manner of Economic Resources and therefore our armed forces have been doing their part to help with missions to counter about what we come to call illegal unreported and unregulated or iuu fishing. For what diplomatic effort has state department been leading to challenge the chinese iuu fishing in the region as any notable progress been made on ship 5 rider coast guard. Important question. And that was where i was going first, i think our coast guard has been most effective with the ship riders in particular, i think our coast guards present in the region cracking down on fishing, through ship rider arrangements helping countries in the region understand when is happening in their maritime tod defend ths purpose important,s the board we tried to increase partner maritime domain awareness initiative, when country know what is happening they can better protect their domains and more we can do to bright light on this activity, you are correct, we believe that the prcis by far the country that carries out. The vast majority of Illegal Fishing in ways that is detrimental to the economies of the region. Thank you if you could get information and list of Ship Rider Agreements well take a look. Then, by way of followup, when the Chinese Government does nothing to control its fishing fleets, engined e Illegal Fishing, how does u. S. Government differentiate our adherence. Im sorry i didnt catch the last part. When they respond, they do nothing, to control the fishing fleets that are make it difficult to follow International Conventions on fishing and maritime boundaries. I understand, yes, sir. So, appreciate the question, i think there are two challenges there is Ship Rider Agreement acts to help country control their maritime domains then also waters on the open sea th and over utilized. In ways it is detrimental to will region. Our effort there is one shining a bright light on the issues, and second building a capacity of partner in region continued to that in addition to our own operations. Coast guard is analyzing what resources they■b require to increase their presence and increase operational tempo in the western pacific. Follows a directive that i secured in recent coast guard authorization. It can be come available and respected to congress and state department as we hit the end of this year. Can i have your commitment to review those findings as they are available. Absolutely, and coast guard leadership in pacific has bee second Pacific Island summit, one of the most effective events wel2 had was at coast guard headquarters. Thank you. Well looks forward to those findings and any counsel you might have about how this committing can be helpful and informed by those findings doing whatever is needed to empower state and our coast guard to help address Illegal Fishing activities. Thank you, so much. Thank you, senator. Sense. Senator. Thank you, mr. Chairman and thank you for your testimony and service, and amen to senators youngs questions we guarding Maritime Security and protecting fisheries. And i know a lot has been covered in this hearing already, i want to stress, i know you know, that when were dealing with you know chinas influence in Pacific Island region, it just cant be all down work with china, quite opposite we need to provide a better alternatives in terms of vision of future and material support. You kfnlt beat something nothin. I want to just, encourage all of you to continue to use the tools that are at our disposal. The economic tools to put forward you know proposals that support people. In this region. I do have a specific question about kiribati. I know their involvement. One question is what are we doing to counter prc influence from kiribati. But the larger question, how can we anticipate these kinds of challenges and not they come up, how can we be proactive rather than reactive. Senator thank you. Fantastic question. I think that number one thing that we need to do is be present to be active, and all of these countries to offer alternatives in case of kib ambassador whose less to hear this needs our friends and determine the best way forward. I. Were following up on agreement that were with with kiribati leadership, working on those alternatives from infrastructure to other areas across board, iage is best way both with our friends in kiribati and across board in pacific, we have to be active and bring alternatives to the table. We think our strategy is designed to do that. I appreciate that. In terms of diplomatic present, if were not to the ground were not in the game. Can you give a brief update on how we have expanding our diplomatic present in the region and what more we need. We have identified 4 country in which we want to establish new embassies, successfully done so in Salomon Islands and tonga, we will be in vanuatu and will below kiribati and need parliamentary approval for that, in two new embassies we have opened we opened quickly and now moving to build out thatpo staff. Build out the permanent facilities in which our staff will be there and working on personnel side. To get open quickly, we had to find temporary duty personnel to you know boots on the ground and j plant your flag, now following up with full time staff and hope to be nominating lbassor no substitute for presence, i am confident we present in the 4 countries. Thank you. And i do have one last question on the implementation of cofa for you dr. Ratner. I know that senator duckworth raised work is s a aid is doing. And on the defense side, what kind of measures are you talking now that has passed. Senator, we have a range of activities associated in teres of exercises and operations operating through the compact states in terms of major investmenting under way we have a couple specific majorure, initiatives there and sites. We have tactical radar in department which will give department and u. S. Military a huge swath over the pacific. Senator cruz is on his way, i will give him two minuteses play quietly at if not ill gavel a close, i will say, the we had an Armed Service Committee Hearing before this two of the Armed Service members, this been involved in was very much focused on Security Agreements with cofa nations. I was a cosponsor of, that i think you are as well, that was included in ndaarc, i told senator that i coming to this hearing focus on Pacific Islands and strategy, and it was to my recollection first time we had a hearing on this t this cor glad said it was about time, there was happy Armed Services Committee Members knowing this hearing was happening today. Ranking member and i will wait for now, i think 62 seconds now. To see if senator cruz arrives■ ill do the homework, there may be manage members of committee that want to submit questions in writing, well keep record of hearing hope until close of business open until close of business friday march we would encourage you to respond promptly and thoroughly there is a vote on senate floor right now, an important wont one with respect to our nominee to ambassador of haiti, with that, and with Ranking Members. Okay. With we will be slightly graceful to a colleague said to be in the building, well wait a bit longer. Do you havezs money ocus jokes while were waiting. I thought that story would be appreciated it is a great initiative. Good work moving out on it. Thank you, so much for your support on on that. Australia training. In Nuclear Power program to take nation only nuclear in australia medical isotopes to go from that to ability to to operate, and maintain and build nuclear subs. That is a lot of work it will be great work to be able to do together. With that ill decide that hearing is now to be adjourned with thanks of committee for your appearance, followup on questions if■r submitted. ■■