To counter China, the US State Department wants to ensure its partners in the Indo-Pacific region have access to a reliable internet and “accurate” journalism. ”
“Everywhere we are present and on the ground, we are active in the local media space and, through our own public diplomacy, work to ensure that we send an alternative message to China there. So, again, our country and our partners in the region have a choice and they have accurate information,” Daniel Krittenbrink, assistant secretary for the Department of State’s Bureau of East Asia and the Pacific, told the Senate on Thursday. This was stated at a hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
The State Department has a program to increase partners’ “access to trusted news communications and other sources.” [Associated Press] “To reduce island countries’ dependence on China-based news organizations like Xinhua,” he said.
As part of its efforts to expand its presence in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is going one step further by sponsoring journalism programs in the region, said Michael Schiffer, deputy director of the Asia Bureau. Stated.
“We are also working very actively with our colleagues at the State Department to support free and independent press in the region through a number of journalism fellowships specifically for journalists interested in addressing natural resource management. There are a lot of corruption and governance concerns that we have,” Schiffer said.
The U.S. government has expanded its presence in the Indo-Pacific region in recent years as part of a larger strategy to compete with China, including providing economic, military and defense assistance to foster innovation.
To strengthen its media efforts, the State Department is also working to ensure Pacific countries have reliable internet connectivity.
“We also recently began working with the University of the South Pacific Digital Cyber Connectivity Partnership, which allows us to respond to requests from partners to provide us with digital data and provide a more advanced way of accessing the digital space. They need to be able to control the fate of their information,” Schiffer said.
Additionally, in Palau, USAID is working with Australia and Japan to develop a “submarine cable spur” to “increase reliable, safe and secure internet bandwidth to foster economic growth.”
Last year, the United States and Australia pledged $65 million to help build future undersea cable connections for Pacific island countries.
“We fully recognize that our Pacific partners are sovereign and can and should make their own choices. And our role is to support them in that process. ,” Schiffer said. “In the Pacific region, we see that China violates many rules and norms established by the international community for its own benefit, which has a negative impact on our operations.”
This includes increased investment in China’s telecommunications industry, stimulating competition with the United States. But the State Department is concerned that reliance on Chinese communications “could leave countries vulnerable to cybersecurity risks and other national security concerns,” Schiffer said. Stated.
