Biden to host Pacific Island nations for serious talk
US President Joe Biden is set to host a meeting of Pacific Island nations at the end of this month, as part of efforts to scale up its diplomatic footprint and foreign aid investments in the Pacific Ocean in a bid to counter China’s growing influence in the region.
The summit, which will take place on September 28, 29 in the White House, will advance “a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the White House said in a statement.
“The Summit will demonstrate the United States’ deep and enduring partnership with Pacific Island countries and the Pacific region that is underpinned by shared history, values, and people-to-people ties,” it said.
The meeting will “reflect our broadening and deepening cooperation on key issues such as climate change, pandemic response, economic recovery, maritime security, environmental protection, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it added.
Though it is not yet clear which Pacific nations will attend the conference, the announcement comes amid efforts by Washington to boost ties with the region.
Washington maintains diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and, Papua New Guinea, via a single embassy located in the capital of the latter nation.
Vanuatu has never had a US embassy of its own.
In June, moreover, the US joined the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Japan to launch the ‘Partners in the Blue Pacific’ initiative, which aims to “forge closer connections with Pacific governments.”
Washington’s attempts to improve relations in the region follow a major security and diplomatic deal signed between the Solomons and China in April.
The move sparked concerns in the US, as well as in Australia that the Solomon Islands will provide a military foothold for China, despite denials from the tiny country’s leader. China has also denied any such intentions.
The US and its Western allies have been lobbying against China's actions on this strategic region since the Solomon Islands authorities cut ties with Chinese Taipei and announced that they would have more serious political and diplomatic relations with Beijing.
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