You The United States launched an invasion into the Pacific on Wednesday to try to halt China’s progress in this area, and Vice President Kamala Harris announced $600 million in funding During a regional summit.
Harris also revealed that the United States will open two new embassies in Tonga and Kiribati, in a speech at the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji.
Washington will also designate its first envoy to the Pacific and launch a national strategy for the region.
The US-China rivalry has sparked interest in this year’s forum, which brings together leaders from across the Pacific.
This is the first meeting of regional leaders since the Solomon Islands signed a controversial security deal with China months ago.
Harris’ speech by videoconferencing was a diplomatic blow to Washington, as Beijing was not invited to make such a presentation.
The Vice President thanked Fiji President Voreke Bainimarama for inviting him to the summit and said the United States was ready to “start a new chapter” in the Pacific.
Harris indicated that he and President Joe Biden believe the Pacific has not received enough attention in the past.
“We will change that,” he promised, adding that the United States wanted to “deepen significantly” its “presence” in the region.
Harris said the United States wants to collaborate on maritime security, disaster relief and infrastructure projects that “do not generate insurmountable debt.”
“We are very pleased that the United States will open an embassy in Tonga, this will be the first time,” Prime Minister Siaosi Sovleni told AFP.
“This is a great achievement. We are delighted to finally have a US presence in Tonga,” he said.
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