In a bid to counter China's influence in the South Pacific, President Joe Biden of the United States has announced the opening of new embassies on the Cook Islands and Niue. This announcement comes as Biden prepares to welcome Pacific Island leaders to Washington, DC, for a two-day US-Pacific Island Forum Summit. The talks during the summit are expected to heavily focus on the impact of climate change in the region, as Biden puts a premium on improving relations with the Pacific amid rising concerns about China's growing military and economic influence.

The plans for the new embassies were confirmed by two senior administration officials who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden intends to use the summit to strengthen ties with the Pacific Islands and discuss how to address complex global challenges such as climate change, economic growth, and sustainable development.

On Sunday, the Pacific Island leaders were scheduled to be honored at a Baltimore Ravens football game and were set to visit a Coast Guard cutter in Baltimore Harbor for a briefing on combatting illegal fishing and other maritime issues. This reception aimed to demonstrate the United States' commitment to the region and showcase its efforts to protect the Pacific's natural resources.

The Pacific Island leaders have been critical of wealthy nations for not taking sufficient action to control climate change, despite these countries being responsible for much of the problem. They have also expressed concerns about profiting from loans provided to vulnerable nations to mitigate the effects of climate change. In response, the White House unveiled its Pacific strategy at last year's summit, outlining the US plan to assist the region's leaders on pressing issues such as climate change, maritime security, and overfishing. As part of this commitment, the US pledged to provide $810 million in new aid for Pacific Island nations over the next decade, including $130 million for climate change-related efforts.

Beyond the summit, Biden's administration aims to demonstrate a sustained commitment to increasing American presence in the region. The administration has already opened embassies in Solomon Islands and Tonga this year and is on track to open an embassy in Vanuatu early next year. Furthermore, top US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will host the Pacific Island leaders for a dinner at the State Department, and they will also meet with members of Congress and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

However, the administration expressed disappointment that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who recently signed a security pact with China, opted not to attend the summit, despite being in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Additionally, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu is also expected to miss the summit, as he was elected earlier this month to replace Ishmael Kalsakau, who lost a no-confidence vote in parliament.

Although Biden had to cancel his planned visit to the Indo-Pacific earlier this year, including a historic stop in Papua New Guinea, he is set to honor Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with a state visit next month. This visit highlights the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to the United States and its willingness to strengthen partnerships and alliances in the area.