Biden’s Objective: Countering China’s Influence in the Pacific Islands

President Joe Biden is planning to host leaders of Pacific island nations, aiming to counter China’s growing influence by offering various incentives such as an American football experience and new embassies.

The summit of leaders from the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum will occur on Monday and Tuesday, following last year’s inaugural meeting in Washington.

Biden will announce a more proactive U.S. stance in the region, including funding for infrastructure projects and increased maritime cooperation to combat illegal fishing, according to senior administration officials.

The forum brings together states and territories scattered across the Pacific Ocean, ranging from Australia to sparsely populated micro-states and archipelagos.

One senior White House official, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the role that China has played in the region, stating that China’s influence is a factor that requires sustained strategic focus.

The absence of the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, a country closely aligned with Beijing, will highlight China’s influence. The leader did not extend their stay in the United States following the UN General Assembly.

Renegotiating the “Compacts of Free Association” with the Marshall Islands before the current terms expire on Saturday is another goal of the meeting.

This agreement, also in place with Micronesia and the Palau archipelago, allows the U.S. to maintain a military presence on the islands in exchange for economic assistance, security guarantees, and the ability for island inhabitants to live and work in the U.S.

The Marshall Islands is demanding that any new agreement consider the effects of the U.S.’s nuclear testing program there in the 1940s and ’50s.

The Biden administration hopes to announce significant progress in the negotiations.

Biden’s agenda includes a full program for the summit, beginning with an American football event. The leaders will attend an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts.

Meetings, lunch with Biden, discussions on climate and the economy with top officials, and interactions with U.S. lawmakers are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

The United States will announce the establishment of diplomatic ties with the Cook Islands and Niue, as well as the opening of a new embassy in Vanuatu next year.

Infrastructure aid, including funding for secure undersea telecommunications cables, will also be unveiled.

The White House intends to propose that the Pacific island states join the “Quad,” a defense cooperation forum consisting of the U.S., Australia, India, and Japan. The Quad focuses on maritime surveillance, specifically targeting vessels involved in illegal fishing.