US Defense Secretary

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper accused China of “destabilising” the Pacific region Friday on a whistle-stop trip to the tiny island nation of Palau.

The visit, which lasted barely three hours, comes as Washington attempts to counter Beijing’s efforts to gain influence in the sparsely populated but strategically important Pacific island nations.

Esper said the United States and Palau shared values of freedom “where all countries respect the rules and norms for peace and prosperity of all nations”.

“This is especially important today, as we continue …