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‘No instruction stopping Chinese visitors to Rota’
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Posted on Feb 17 2005
During the MVA Board Meeting held on Feb. 17, we discussed the matter of Chinese attempting to enter Guam illegally. During the December 2004, General Membership Meeting an update on the Approved Destination Status (ADS), accorded to the CNMI.
Over the years, there have been attempts by a number of Chinese to enter Guam without a U.S. visa. Most of these people were caught either within the territorial water of Guam or actually landed in Guam and were caught by U.S. Immigration. Others were unsuccessful in completing the intended venture due to high and boisterous sea en route to Guam.
During the General Membership Meeting of MVA in December, I alluded to the concern of MVA and I am certain the CNMI Government as well, over the attempts by some Chinese trying to enter illegally into Guam from Rota.
I would like to also state that there has never been any instruction that I am aware of, from the Federal Government to the CNMI Government, not to send Chinese tourists to Rota. The agency which presently charters flights to bring in their respective customers from Shanghai is not well prepared to establish an office in Rota and for that reason the agency has decided to confine the movement of their customers to Saipan and Tinian.
Coming back to the attempts to smuggle Chinese into Guam illegally. I learned that most of the Chinese trying to enter Guam illegally originate from Saipan and Tinian. However, the boats carrying these Chinese stopover in Rota for refueling and provisioning and then proceed on their journey. So, it is safe to state that some of the Chinese trying to enter Guam are from the CNMI. Another possible way is for them to fly to Rota, and then charter a local boat to take them to the shores of Guam. I don’t know if the latter method is happening but it is a possibility.
I want to be sure that the public understands the facts as stated herein and hope that this matter be put to rest once and for all.
David M. Sablan
Chairman
Marianas Visitors Authority
