Richard Saunders, Guam
China’s construction of an airport on Woleai Atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia is drawing heightened scrutiny from defense analysts and policymakers, who warn that the project could have far-reaching military implications in the Pacific. While Beijing presents the development as a civilian infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity for remote island communities, its location—just 400 miles south of Guam—has made it a focal point in the intensifying strategic rivalry between China and the United States.
Woleai Atoll, a cluster of small islands in Micronesia’s outer reaches, has long been isolated and underdeveloped. The airfield being revived was originally built by Japanese forces during World War II, serving as a forward base in the Pacific theater. Today, Chinese state-owned enterprises are spearheading its reconstruction, promising economic benefits and improved access for local residents. For Micronesians, the prospect of regular flights could mean better access to healthcare, education, and trade. Yet for Washington, the project is viewed through a different lens: the potential for dual-use infrastructure that could one day support military operations.
Guam, the nearest major landmass, is home to Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam, two of the most important U.S. military installations in the Indo-Pacific. These bases serve as launch points for American air and naval power across Asia, and their proximity to Woleai makes the new airport strategically sensitive. Analysts caution that even if the facility is initially used for civilian purposes, it could be adapted for surveillance, refueling, or rapid deployment of military assets.
The Federated States of Micronesia occupies a unique position in the geopolitical landscape. As part of the Freely Associated States, its security is guaranteed by the United States under the Compact of Free Association. This agreement grants Washington defense responsibilities in exchange for economic assistance and strategic access. China’s growing footprint in Micronesia, however, complicates this arrangement, placing FSM in a delicate balancing act between its traditional ties to the U.S. and the economic incentives offered by Beijing.
Observers note that China’s approach in the Pacific mirrors its broader strategy of embedding influence through infrastructure projects. By financing and building airports, ports, and roads, Beijing gains both political leverage and potential logistical footholds. The Woleai project, they argue, could be a test case for how China expands its reach into territories historically under U.S. defense protection.
For Washington, the development underscores the urgency of reinforcing ties with Pacific allies and ensuring that the Compacts of Free Association remain strong. The U.S. has recently renewed its agreements with Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, but China’s presence in projects like Woleai signals that competition in the Pacific is far from settled.
The revival of Woleai’s airfield may be framed as a civilian project, but its strategic location ensures it will be viewed through a military lens. As the Pacific becomes an increasingly contested space, the airport could mark a new chapter in the geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States—one that places even the most remote islands at the center of global power struggles.
