Seven Chinese citizens were arrested on Tuesday for attempting to enter the United States territory of Guam illegally, raising concerns about security on the strategically vital island amid heightened tensions with China.
Guam is especially sensitive given its importance as a linchpin for U.S. military operations in the Indo-Pacific; the authorities there are especially vigilant over security measures to protect the island from unauthorized incursions.
Guam, an unincorporated U.S. territory, hosts two critical military installations: Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam. These bases play a key role in the United States strategy to deter and contain China’s growing military influence in the Pacific.
The island is a hub for power projection, logistics, surveillance, and rapid deployment of forces, making its security a high priority for the U.S. military.
Guam customs officers responded to a report of a woman illegally entering military property in Dededo, the island’s most populous village, according to news station Kuam-TV. The woman, who had a standing warrant for her arrest, had been dropped off by a boat. Two other individuals, a man and a woman, were also discovered, treated by medical responders, and taken into custody.
The following day, four more Chinese citizens were arrested at Tanguisson Beach, also having arrived by boat. The names of the detained individuals have not been released.
Newsweek reached out to the Chinese embassy in the U.S. and Guam authorities via email for comment outside of office hours.
