The United States has struck a partnership agreement with Pacific island nations, announcing $810m (£725m) in financial support and recognition of Niue and Cook Islands as sovereign states. The deal, signed by 14 nations including the Solomon Islands, comes amid US concern over growing Chinese influence in the region.
The Pacific Islands hold strategic importance as the gateway to Asia from the Pacific. Their need for assistance, particularly on climate change, has triggered a battle for influence, with China keen to play a prominent role. Earlier this year, Beijing proposed a sweeping trade and security deal with 10 regional countries, but it was shelved after many declined to sign.
Washington's 11-point declaration covers security to climate change. US President Joe Biden said during the two-day summit, the first time Pacific nations were invited to Washington for an in-person meeting: "The security of America, quite frankly, and the world depends on your security, and the security of the Pacific Islands."
Much of the new US funding is a 10-year package to clean up dirty waters in the South Pacific. Between 2006 and 2017, Beijing provided close to $1.5bn in foreign aid to the region, according to the Lowy Institute. Earlier this year, US Vice President Kamala Harris said the US would triple its funding for economic development and ocean resilience for the Pacific Islands.
