U.S. warns Pacific islands of struggle against coercive regimes

Sherman, again without mentioning names, told her hosts: "It is up to us to decide if we want to continue having societies where people are free to speak their minds."

Not sure who she is trying to convince. Chinese audience is laughing at comments like this ^, Pacific Islands leaders are laughing in private, US media is laughing because they know their control of cancel culture narratives = power and money.

China on the other hand knows it's their time. Now that they have cemented a military partnership with Russia, they leave the destroying of freedom to the Biden administration, who seems to be much more effective at destroying freedom than they are.

Meanwhile, they get to practice and learn how to take Taiwan by force whilst the Biden team cower in excuses.

@Sh1mon M4sada - I truly hope it is not the CCPs time to rule us all...

Coercive regimes . . . Exactly!

Flash a wad of cash in front of these island chieftains, and it’s probably fair to say that they’re going to jump for it.

Words may not be enough and may require some sugar.

USA be responsible and clean up all your unexploded ordinance that you neglected to do !

It is time, she said, to decide "if we want to have governments that are transparent and accountable to their people".

Most govts are not transparent, but there certainly is a scale for which are more and less transparent. The freedom to discuss and criticize a govt, the leaders, is the most important aspect that needs to be retained. The countries which block/censor that are much worse overall for the people living under the govt.

When govts lie about everything, even natural disasters, that is really concerning. What's the point? The Solomon Islands steps towards restricting truth is extremely concerning for the people living there. Sure, it will be easier for the local leaders, but it is only good if those leaders never plan to step down.

Nobody here would like to live under Chinese rules - they already complain about Japan losing freedom - watch them complain completely losing their freedom under Chinese rules