China or BUST: The Truth About the CNMI’s Future

 

By Edwin Propst for Kandit News & Views

Dear Friends,

If you’ve been paying attention, you already know that the People’s Republic of China (PRC), led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has been declared the greatest threat to the United States. And this isn’t just coming from President Trump or a Republican-led Congress—it’s a bipartisan stance shared by Democrats and 99.9% of military leaders.

A Military Reality Check: The CNMI Is On the Frontline

Need proof? Look no further than the billion-dollar divert airfield being built on Tinian—a direct response to the CCP’s growing military threat. This airfield is a contingency base, an alternative to Guam’s Andersen Air Force Base in case of Chinese missile attacks. It underscores a stark reality: the CNMI is the “Tip of the Spear” in the Pacific. We are not just an island chain; we are a critical frontline in a geopolitical conflict that is only escalating.

Yet, CCP beneficiaries here in the CNMI want you to ignore all of this. They want you to forget about China’s cyberattacks, espionage, trade wars, and even our own history with Chinese garment sweatshops and a casino scandal that corrupted our leadership. They are desperate to keep the CNMI dependent on China—at any cost.

Birthright Citizenship & Chinese Influence: Selling Out the CNMI

How much influence does China have in our islands? Consider this: some CNMI leaders, including Delegate Kim King-Hinds, are actively working to amend birthright citizenship in our Covenant just to allow unrestricted flights from China. This isn’t about tourism—it’s about political control and economic manipulation.

Think about what birthright citizenship means to our people. Generations of Chamorros and Carolinians have benefited from being born U.S. citizens, proudly serving in the military, becoming doctors, business owners, and professionals. Yet, Delegate Kim and others are willing to sacrifice that just to cater to Beijing.

And let’s talk about birthing tourism. Despite past attempts to mislead the public, the data is clear: over 90% of tourist births in the CNMI from 2008 to 2019 came from China. Out of 3,519 total births, 3,177 were from Chinese nationals. Even in 2024, the first baby born in the CNMI was to a Chinese birth tourist. This is not a coincidence—it’s a well-organized scheme that exploits U.S. laws while the CCP continues its aggressive global expansion.

Chinese Tourism: A Failing Strategy

With all of this in mind, ask yourself: why are Chinese tourists not coming to the CNMI like they used to?

We have the EVS program in place, allowing for visa-free travel.

We have infrastructure for charter flights.

Yet, Chinese tourism is drying up.

Could it be that wealthy, high-spending Chinese travelers prefer destinations like Hawaii, California, New York, or Europe? The CCP beneficiaries here want you to believe that Governor Palacios and Lt. Governor Apatang hate China and are blocking tourism. That is a lie. The real reason for declining numbers is Chinese tourists are choosing not to come here.

Rather than adjusting, certain politicians and business interests remain obsessed with China, ignoring opportunities with Japan, South Korea, and other stable, high-value markets. If they put the same energy into diversifying our economy as they do into lobbying for China, the CNMI wouldn’t be in this crisis.

The “Bailout” Lie & Economic Sabotage

Governor Palacios recently requested that $414 million in unspent PUA and FPUC funds be repurposed to support the CNMI’s infrastructure and economy. This is not a “bailout”—it’s about using money already allocated to our islands.

Yet, Delegate King-Hinds and her allies are deliberately calling it a ‘bailout’ to ensure it fails. Why? Because their agenda is clear: they would rather see the CNMI’s economy collapse than allow Governor Palacios to succeed. They are betting on economic failure, hoping to usher in leadership that will once again put China first.

And let’s not forget:

Former Governor Ralph Torres never balanced a budget and failed to produce financial audits during his entire term, leaving us under federal scrutiny.

Millions in federal funds were wasted on enriching insiders instead of rebuilding the economy.

The same people who supported Torres are now undermining Palacios, even though he is the first governor in decades to enforce fiscal responsibility.

The CNMI Must Put America First

The CNMI faces a clear choice: continue as a pawn in China’s game, or stand with the United States.

We must:

1.⁠ ⁠Expand tourism beyond China—Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the U.S. mainland offer sustainable, diversified markets.

2.⁠ ⁠Push for a cabotage exemption alongside Guam, which has a better chance of success than Annex VI.

3.⁠ ⁠Invest in infrastructure, security, and self-sufficiency, rather than bending to CCP interests.

4.⁠ ⁠Demand transparency and accountability from our elected officials.

 

To those who say “China or bust”—you have failed Politics 101. You refuse to read the room. The world is changing, and the CNMI cannot afford to bet our future on a regime that actively works against U.S. interests.

Let’s focus on what matters: economic strength, national security, and protecting our Covenant. We are part of the United States—not China.

_____
Edwin Propst is a resident of Dandan, Saipan.