The Chinese, who were trying to create a semi-autonomous region in the Marshall Islands, have pleaded guilty to bribing US officials. Radio free Asia writes about it.

Carey Yang and Gina Zhou face up to five years in prison for trying to "undermine democratic processes" in the Marshall Islands, according to the US Department of Justice. The Chinese were extradited to the United States from Thailand.

According to the indictment, Yang and Zhou offered and paid bribes to Marshall Islands officials in 2018 to support a law that would help create a special administrative region with no taxes and relaxed immigration rules. The amount of the bribe did not exceed $22,000. They also paid for the trips of officials from the Marshall Islands to New York and Hong Kong, their hotel bills and entertainment.

At the same time, the US indictment does not allege that the couple acted on behalf of Beijing. The publication at the same time cites the opinion of an expert who is sure that although the participation of Chinese government officials has not been proven, "it cannot be denied that the Marshall Islands will be their main goal and the main prize."

Earlier it was reported that the Indonesian government intends to auction the archipelago, which includes more than a hundred small islands.