Demapan: COFA vital in countering China threat

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Angel Demapan testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources in Washington, D.C., about the implementation of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024, which provides $6.5B in economic assistance to the Freely Associated States.

“The COFA agreements are more important than ever as the People’s Republic of China has intensified efforts to undermine and compromise our critical national defense apparatus hosted in these important island nations,” he told lawmakers.

Demapan said COFA counters China’s threat as the U.S. enhances democratic resiliency in Micronesia. He stated that the Interior has made $1.5 billion available to the FAS in accordance with the 20-year schedule outlined in the agreement. Demapan said investments in tourism, critical infrastructure, healthcare, and education are ongoing. He said the federal government is working closely with the FAS to ensure funds are used properly.

He added, “Our goals are to increase economic opportunities, reduce out-migration, and deny PRC the opportunity to weaken our Pacific partnerships.”