United Daily News (UDN), one of the primary Taiwanese news groups, recently reported that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that President Biden will host a summit of Pacific Islands leaders at the White House in September. Facing China’s growing influence, the U.S. looks to strengthen regional ties. The United States is making frequent diplomatic tours in the Pacific, seeking allies to confront an increasingly assertive China. Washington previously also announced plans to open new embassies in the Pacific. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Fiji in February this year, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris recently delivered a landmark video speech to the Pacific Islands Forum. Sherman visited the Solomon Islands for a series of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. After China signed a secret security agreement with the Solomon Islands in April this year, Western allies were alerted. The deal, which would allow China to establish military strongholds in the South Pacific, was the focus the U.S.’ concerns.
Source: UDN, August 6, 2022
https://udn.com/news/story/6813/6518106