Does the US see Pacific Island countries as "true partners"?
1 year, 3 months ago

Does the US see Pacific Island countries as "true partners"?

China Daily  

The US Capitol building is seen in Washington, DC, the United States, Nov. 4, 2022. It is quite uncommon for the two top officials of the US foreign service and military to visit Pacific island countries at the same time. It seems that the recent "interest" in the Pacific island countries shown by the US is not about bringing prosperity and stability, as the US has solemnly declared. Once the Cold War drew to an end, the US believed that it had achieved a solid uni-polar hegemony and the South Pacific island countries had no strategic value anymore. But still, we should bear in mind that the Pacific island countries are a land of its people rather than anyone's backyard, still less an arena for geopolitical games.

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History of this topic

Forget China: In the Pacific Islands, the US Is Its Own Worst Enemy
1 month ago

Forget China: In the Pacific Islands, the US Is Its Own Worst Enemy

The Diplomat  

The United States is competing with China for influence and access in the Pacific Islands, a region that could play a crucial role in winning a war in Asia, much as it did during World War II. He believes that U.S. efforts to resolve the nuclear legacy have been “inadequate” and “therefore remain unfinished.” When will the United States listen …

Washington's overreaction in Pacific is telling: China Daily editorial
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Washington's overreaction in Pacific is telling: China Daily editorial

China Daily  

Reports that up to a dozen Chinese police officers are working in the remote atoll nation of Kiribati have again touched a nerve of the China hawks in Washington, obsessed as they are with their zero-sum game and geopolitical rivalry. A US State Department spokesperson warned the Pacific island country on Monday that it should not "import security forces from …

US could lose strategic Pacific islands to China over blocked funding
9 months, 3 weeks ago

US could lose strategic Pacific islands to China over blocked funding

The Telegraph  

United States defence officials have warned the US may lose ground to China if it does not grant funding to vital island nations used by the military in the Pacific. The blocked funding coincides with a concerted drive by Beijing to shift the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region in its favour, including over the sensitive issue of Taiwan’s …

America is lavishing attention on Pacific island states
11 months ago

America is lavishing attention on Pacific island states

Hindustan Times  

THERE ARE two ways of looking at the security pact that Antony Blinken, America’s secretary of state, signed with the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, on May 22nd. In that contest, America had, by its own reckoning, previously neglected the role of Pacific island states, of which PNG, a diverse land with 10m people, is by far …

US to open embassies in the Cook Islands, Niue
1 year, 2 months ago

US to open embassies in the Cook Islands, Niue

Al Jazeera  

Announcement comes as US President Joe Biden prepares to host a second summit with Pacific Island leaders in Washington DC. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would use the summit to strengthen “ties with the Pacific Islands and discuss how we address complex global challenges, like tackling the existential threat of climate change, advancing economic growth, and promoting …

US Pacific Policy in China’s Shadow
1 year, 3 months ago

US Pacific Policy in China’s Shadow

The Diplomat  

There has been a flurry of Pacific Islands-related press releases coming out of the United States Department of State this year. On May 22 and 23 alone, the State Department issued four major read-outs: “The United States and Papua New Guinea Sign New Defense Cooperation Agreement,” “U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in Papua New Guinea,” “Secretary Blinken Witnesses the Signing …

US eyes massive ramp-up in diplomatic personnel and spending at new Pacific island embassies
1 year, 5 months ago

US eyes massive ramp-up in diplomatic personnel and spending at new Pacific island embassies

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The State Department says it plans a massive increase in diplomatic personnel and spending for facilities at new U.S. embassies in the Pacific islands as the Biden administration forges ahead with efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the region. “The lack of a permanent U.S. diplomatic presence in more heavily populated undermines U.S. efforts to engage as …

Why Latin America is crucial in the diplomatic war between China and Taiwan
1 year, 8 months ago

Why Latin America is crucial in the diplomatic war between China and Taiwan

Firstpost  

After Honduras severed ties with Taiwan on Sunday, Paraguay will be the next front as it holds a presidential election in April, with Opposition candidate Efrain Alegre having vowed to re-evaluate relations with Taipei if he wins Tegucigalpa: A battle in the intense diplomatic war between China and Taiwan is being fought in Latin America, where Honduras has become the …

US nears new cooperation deals with Pacific Island nations
1 year, 11 months ago

US nears new cooperation deals with Pacific Island nations

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is nearing deals with two Pacific Island nations to extend ties that are considered critical to maintaining balance in the U.S.-China rivalry for influence in a region where the Chinese are rapidly expanding their economic, diplomatic and military clout. This week, the U.S. signed memorandums of understanding with the Marshall Islands and Palau that administration …

Climate change gets ‘highest priority’ in US, Pacific agreement
2 years, 2 months ago

Climate change gets ‘highest priority’ in US, Pacific agreement

Al Jazeera  

New partnership deal signed by 14 nations follows historic summit at the White House and comes as China extends influence in the region. The United States and Pacific island nations have signed up to a new era of cooperation, making climate change the “highest priority” and promising to work together to ensure a peaceful region where “democracy is allowed to …

US, Pacific Island leaders vow to strengthen ties with historic partnership declaration amid growing China risks
2 years, 2 months ago

US, Pacific Island leaders vow to strengthen ties with historic partnership declaration amid growing China risks

ABC  

The United States and Pacific island nations have unveiled a historic joint partnership declaration, vowing to strengthen ties amid growing concerns of China's role in the region. Key points: The White House said the announcements amount to more than $US810 million in new expanded programs The US said pressure and coercion from China risks "undermining the peace, prosperity, and security …

US has agreed Pacific Islands deal, offering ‘big dollar numbers’
2 years, 2 months ago

US has agreed Pacific Islands deal, offering ‘big dollar numbers’

Al Jazeera  

The US is looking to reengage in a region where China has been steadily expanding its influence. The United States says it has agreed on a partnership with the Pacific Islands that offers the prospect of “big dollar” help to a region where China has been expanding its influence. Among the measures, the US plans to expand its diplomatic footprint …

China strategy in Pacific islands a cause for US concern: Report
2 years, 3 months ago

China strategy in Pacific islands a cause for US concern: Report

Al Jazeera  

To counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific the US should bolster support for island states, new report states. To counter China’s growing influence in the region, the US should bolster support for island states in the north Pacific where it had the strongest historical ties, the report suggests. “Perhaps to a greater extent than any other geographic area, the …

In Pacific islands, US diplomatic push stirs memories of neglect
2 years, 5 months ago

In Pacific islands, US diplomatic push stirs memories of neglect

Al Jazeera  

As United States Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a major ramping up of US aid and diplomacy in Pacific island countries on Wednesday, she acknowledged that they had not always received the “attention and support that you deserve”. Speaking after Harris’ announcement, Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said the US “is certainly looking a lot more like the Pacific partner …

Harris vows US will strengthen its Pacific islands relations
2 years, 5 months ago

Harris vows US will strengthen its Pacific islands relations

Associated Press  

SUVA, Fiji — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris assured Pacific island leaders of more U.S. engagement after acknowledging Wednesday the United States may not have previously provided the diplomatic attention the region deserved. Harris’ virtual address to the Pacific Islands Forum, meeting in the Fijian capital Suva, comes as China vies for more influence in the Indo-Pacific region. “The United …

Can the US Respond to the Pacific’s Rise and Woes?
2 years, 6 months ago

Can the US Respond to the Pacific’s Rise and Woes?

The Diplomat  

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings back the tensions of the Cold War, China’s foray into the Pacific Islands is bringing back memories of World War II. Beijing’s intentions for the region at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and China have been unsettling not just for Washington, but for the region at large. Granted, the White …

China brought a major initiative to Pacific Island nations. It has the U.S. worried
2 years, 6 months ago

China brought a major initiative to Pacific Island nations. It has the U.S. worried

NPR  

China brought a major initiative to Pacific Island nations. It has the U.S. worried China's foreign minister recently wrapped up a visit to eight Pacific island nations, raising alarm in the U.S. and its allies. China's foreign minister recently wrapped up a visit to eight Pacific Island nations, and that has raised alarm in the U.S. and among its allies. …

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