The Northern Marianas governor, Benigno Fitial, says he's prepared to lease some of the territory's islands to China.
Mr Fitial has told an economic forum of nearly 400 in Beijing that he is willing to do so to provide jobs and improve the economy but he says the islands couldn't be used for military purposes.
His media spokesperson, Angel Demapan, says Mr Fitial was referring to the availability of public lands in the CNMI's undeveloped and uninhabited northern islands.
Various foreign media had recorded Mr Fitial as saying he was offering these islands so China to he can provide more employment for his people.
