BB reports on raids untrue, says IPI
The United States military takes a dim view of Chinese-backed gaming halls in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S.-controlled territory in the South Pacific, according to a new government report.
The report, released by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, is entitled, “China’s Engagement in the Pacific Islands: Implications for the United States.”
CalvinAyre.com reported that commissioners fear Chinese investment in the region “could complicate U.S. Department of Defense plans in CNMI for extensive training and exercises resulting from the recent relocation of Marines from Okinawa, Japan.”
Calling the island chain “a strategic asset for the US military,” the report went on to say that as China increases its economic engagement, Pacific island countries “may feel more beholden to Beijing and side with it at international forums.”
There is currently one casino on the island of Saipan, the Imperial Pacific Resort Hotel, and two integrated resort projects have been proposed for Tinian by the Alter City Group and Bridge Investment Group.
Some CNMI businesses are already up in arms about U.S. military plans, which Alter City says will “adversely impact the island of Tinian, its residents and adjacent operators.” Alter City added that U.S. military operations are not beneficial to Tinian, while “the burdens are significant and unsustainable.”
Meanwhile, IPI is suing New York-based news organization Bloomberg L.P. and two of its reporters for reporting that the casino operator was “raided by U.S. agents” in an article called “A Chinese Casino Has Conquered a Piece of America,” reported Asia Gaming Brief.
The USCC contends that the commonwealth has become increasingly reliant on Chinese tourism, “particularly casino gambling.”
