The Pacific island nation of Palau has reached an agreement with the U.S. for American ships to unilaterally enforce maritime regulations in the country’s exclusive economic zone according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The agreement was reached last week after Palau President, Surangel S. Whipps Jr., sought U.S. aid as Chinese ships have entered Palau’s territorial waters three times since 2021 without authorization. Whipps said, “This agreement helps Palau monitor our exclusive economic zone, protect against Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and deter uninvited vessels from conducting questionable maneuvers within our waters.” The agreement was reached about the same time two Philippine supply boats breached a Chinese Coast Guard blockade in order to resupply Filipino forces guarding the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. A U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft was flying overhead during the incident but it is unclear what role, if any, it played in the encounter.
