🔗 Share this article

Similar to most residents of Guam, Jacqueline Guzman is used to hearing about geopolitical risks linked to China. Despite escalating frictions in the Pacific region, a lot of people are more focused on daily expenses instead of defense issues.

Guzman notes that her main concern is paying bills, and she maintains faith in the American authorities to guarantee her protection.

However that feeling of safety was shaken in early September when headlines emerged of a major show of force in the PRC, where cutting-edge weaponry was revealed—featuring a ballistic weapon dubbed the “Guam Killer” by official outlets.

Additionally, the sight of the Chinese leader alongside the leaders of the Russian Federation, Pyongyang, Tehran and allied states indicated a emerging geopolitical alignment that several interpret as a potential danger.

“Based on reports, almost every person in Guam and nearby areas should be concerned,” comments a local resident, in his seventies, who is located adjacent to the main base of the territorial military force.

“Yet there is nothing we can do.”

Located roughly 1,800 miles east of China, the territory serves as a key military outpost for the American forces in the Pacific Ocean and hosts a sizable armed contingent. Experts warn that in the event that China seek to seize Taiwan, the US territory would probably become a key battleground in any potential conflict.

For this reason, demonstrations of China’s advancing defense prowess—including strategic ballistic systems, electronic warfare tools and four-legged devices—are taken seriously across the territory.

“Guam is a key military asset for the United States in the Western Pacific,” explains a spokesperson for the regional military command.

She adds that the region is among the most ‘critical’ for national defense and that armed services are “ready to protect American soil here on Guam.”

With that in mind, the American government is constructing an upgraded integrated air and missile defense intended to offer 360-degree protection for the territory. According to a official document, the expensive initiative is expected to be finished within 10 years.

“Residents must be aware of the risk, while not excessively concerned,” says a retired military official, pointing out that Chinese forces have surpassed the United States in various fields.

“In the event that Chinese forces select their timings and targets carefully… they could significantly damage American military assets,” the analyst warns.

However, the commentator maintains that the American forces remains capable and well-equipped against Beijing’s advanced weaponry.

As well as the weapons, the sight of Xi Jinping seen with the leaders of North Korea and Moscow at the parade raised fresh anxiety among several in the territory.

A communications specialist explains that she once had no fears about Chinese intentions—prior to the “group photo” of Russia’s president, Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping. It, she notes, indicates “stronger diplomatic relations and shared interests” among the countries.

“That can change regional and global diplomacy and make joint operations more feasible. It’s concerning because it could represent a strategic partnership,” Reilly states.

Territorial leaders, however, continue to assert that defending Guam is of top priority to the American forces.

Legislator Jesse Lujan, who heads the policy group, explains that the island leadership is provided defense reports from US military officials and that the protection of the region is taken “as a top priority.”

“The public’s duty is to stay steady, aware and cooperative, believing that the right mechanisms are established to provide for our safety.”