On October 1, IPSI Distinguished Fellow David W. Panuelo was mentioned in a Worldcrunch article which was part of a broader analysis of China’s growing global influence under Xi Jinping. The article noted his strong opposition to China’s actions in Micronesia as he accused China of undermining Micronesia’s sovereignty through espionage, corruption, and harassment, especially in relation to a rejected security agreement. He expressed concerns about China’s influence over local officials and its broader ambitions in the Pacific.