‘Effects’ of militarization on entry of Chinese tourists downplayed

Sen. Arnold Palacios (R-Saipan) said he does not believe that the proposed military exercises on Tinian and Pagan will have an effect on the influx of Chinese tourists in the CNMI.

“Are we trying to scare ourselves here?” Palacios, who has been very vocal on his opposition to the proposed military exercises, said.

He said the biggest number of tourists from mainland China go to San Francisco and New York in the U.S. “Are we going to sacrifice our islands, if we do not do this or do that, then what? I am not trying to challenge anybody here,” Palacios said.

He stressed that the proposed military exercises will involve generations. “This is not just for the present, but will affect multiple generations,” he said. “So what are we gonna roll over and play dead again?”

Palacios said that the CNMI has “a voice” even if it is such a small community.

“If the U.S government is going to kill our economy because we did not give them two of our islands to destroy, then what are we doing with this kind of a national government?” Palacios said. “We need to start asking questions.”

Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) said that “with all due respect,” he also disagreed with the observation that saying “no” to the proposed military exercises will affect the CNMI tourism industry.

“I think he’s got it the other way around. Case in point is what is happening right now. There’s no military presence in the CNMI, but there is a visa waiver (program) for the Chinese. There is military presence in Guam but no visa waiver,” Demapan said.

The lawmaker added that, “our worry then for the Commonwealth should be, after we allow the proposed military buildup is when our visa waiver program could be in jeopardy.”

Rep. Ralph Yumul (Ind-Saipan) earlier said the CNMI should be “open-minded” to the U.S. military’s plans, considering that the federal government has considerable control particularly on tourism.

The member of the House minority bloc said the federal government has always monitored tourism in the CNMI and that it can “easily control the number of tourists coming in, particularly Chinese tourists.”

He added that leaning too much toward the Chinese market could send the wrong signals to the Department of Defense.

Currently, Chinese tourists enter the CNMI via a parole arrangement, allowing them to travel to the CNMI without a U.S. visa. Japanese and Korean tourists do not have the same restrictions.