SYDNEY, Australia — The Pacific Island nation of Palau, important to the U.S. military amid tensions with China, and among a dozen allies of Taiwan, holds a national election for president on Tuesday. The U.S. military is constructing an over-the-horizon radar on Palau, scheduled to be completed in 2026. To counter the fall in Chinese tourist arrivals, Palau has opened direct flights to Japan and Australia, with support from those governments. Tax reform has emerged as an election issue, with Remengesau’s campaign arguing that big business is not paying enough, and pledging tax incentives for small businesses. During the election campaign, Remengesau said that Palau needs to “ensure that foreign influences do not overshadow our identity or compromise our independence.”His campaign did not respond to questions on which foreign influence he was referring to.

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Persons: Surangel Whipps, Tommy Remengesau, Whipps, Surangel, Whipps ’, Remengesau, ” Organizations: Free Association, Washington, U.S, Palau Media Council, Island Times, Co, Patriot, Senate Locations: SYDNEY, Australia, Palau, China, Taiwan, U.S, Philippines, Guam, The U.S, Beijing, Japan