The Biden administration is plowing ahead with plans to re-open the U.S. embassy in the Solomon Islands in a bid to counter China’s increasing assertiveness in the Pacific.
“Before becomes strongly embedded in Solomon Islands, now is the opportunity to bolster Solomon Islands’ resilience and deepen cooperation on security, democratic governance, and a free and open economy,” it said. “The absence of an embassy has severely constrained our ability to engage with this strategically situated country with alacrity and precision.”
The Solomon Islands prime minister assured the U.S. and other Western allies, like Australia and New Zealand, after signing the deal with Beijing in April that he would not allow China to set up a naval base in his country, but concern about Chinese intentions has not abated. As it moves to enhance ties with the Solomon Islands, the U.S. is also seeking to shore up relations with other Pacific nations that it fears may also be drawn into China's orbit.
In late September, President Joe Biden convened a summit of Pacific Island leaders to unveil a new strategy for the region that included pressing issues like climate change, maritime security and protecting the area from overfishing.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US moves to reopen Solomon Islands embassy to counter ChinaWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is plowing ahead with plans to re-open the U.S. embassy in the Solomon Islands in a bid to counter China’s increasing assertiveness in the Pacific. The State Department has informed Congress that it will establish soon an interim embassy in the Solomons’ capital of Honiara on the site of a former U.S.
Read more »
Asia-Pacific markets set to trade mixed as investors look ahead to Fed minutesAsia-Pacific shares are set to trade mixed as investors look ahead to the Fed's meeting minutes, watching for signs of more interest rate hikes.
Read more »
Loose Women's Stacey Solomon announces her baby is due next monthLoose Women's Stacey Solomon reveals her baby is due next month.
Read more »
Virgin Islands AG Fired Days After Suing Chase over Epstein AbuseU.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George was fired by Gov. Albert Bryan (D) just days after announcing a lawsuit that accused J.P. Morgan Chase of turning “a blind eye” to evidence of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking operation.
Read more »
US Virgin Islands fires attorney general in Epstein casesThe governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands has fired the attorney general of the U.S. territory who led a lengthy legal case against disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein that resulted in a $105 million settlement.
Read more »
'Absolute miracle': 4 people survive after Tesla plunges over cliff along Pacific Coast HighwayThe Tesla crashed into a rocky outcropping before it flipped several times and landed on its wheels, wedged against the cliff feet from the surf.
Read more »