SYDNEY, Australia — Palau's incumbent President Surangel Whipps Jr. on Monday claimed victory in national elections, keeping the pro-United States leader in power as China seeks greater influence across the Pacific.

Over his four years in office, Baltimore, Maryland-born Whipps has overseen the swift expansion of US military interests across the Palauan archipelago.

The Melanesian microstate of about 20,000 people is one of the few remaining countries to maintain diplomatic links with Taiwan, a posture that has angered China over the years.

"I am deeply humbled by the trust you have once again placed in me," Whipps said in a statement. "Your decision to grant me a second term as president is a responsibility I hold with the utmost respect."

Whipps' sole rival for the presidency was his brother-in-law, Tommy Remengesau Jr.

Preliminary results released by the Palau Election Commission showed that Whipps garnered more than 4,300 votes, against just over 3,100 for Remengesau. Some overseas ballots are still being counted.

Remengesau, himself a former president, is also pro-Taiwan but has cautioned that drawing too close to Washington could paint a target on Palau's back.

Whipps said he would now focus on bolstering Palau's inflation-battered economy and stepping up environmental protections.

Palau's economy has struggled to recover from an ongoing diplomatic spat with China.

In 2017, China unofficially banned its citizens from visiting tourism-dependent Palau after it refused to break with Taiwan and forge links instead with Beijing.

Deprived of tens of thousands of Chinese visitors each year, Palau has struggled to find other sources of jobs and cash.

"I know the challenges we face are significant, but so are the opportunities," Whipps said.

"We have made strides in preserving our environment, strengthening our economy, and improving the lives of all Palauans," he added.

China critic

Whipps has overseen the ongoing construction of a long-range US radar system based in Palau, a tropical archipelago of limestone islands and coral atolls about 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of the Philippines.

He also mooted further buttressing the nation with US-made Patriot missile defenses, an idea that stalled after it was rejected by other lawmakers.

"I always say that presence is deterrence," the 56-year-old has said previously.

Whipps has also been a persistent China skeptic, accusing Beijing of meddling in the presidential vote and orchestrating hacks of government computers.

Remengesau, 68, has, meanwhile, criticized the lack of transparency surrounding these US military deals, cautioning that Palau should not risk China's ire by giving Washington free rein.

Palau gained independence in 1994 but allows the US military to use its territory under a longstanding "Compact of Free Association" agreement.

In return, the US gives Palau hundreds of millions of dollars in budgetary support and assumes responsibility for its national defense.

Kathryn Paik, a former Pacific expert on US President Joe Biden's National Security Council, said "heavy bipartisan" support for Palau would likely continue throughout Donald Trump's incoming administration.Strong ties with Palau gave Washington "unilateral defense access across a critical swathe of the northern Pacific," she said.

Remengesau conceded he was unlikely to win as results started trickling in late last week.

"The election is finished. The people of Palau have spoken through a peaceful and free election," he said in a concession speech, according to local media.