Joe Biden received the leaders of several island countries and archipelagos in the Pacific on Monday September 25. The opportunity to assert the American diplomatic presence in the region and its Indo-Pacific strategy in the face of Chinese ambitions.
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With our correspondent in Washington, Guillaume Naudin
The Cook Islands, 17,000 inhabitants, and Niue, nicknamed the rock of Polynesia, 1700 souls, are now officially on the American diplomatic map. Joe Biden is taking advantage of this second summit in a year to officially recognize the two Pacific island states.
The objective of the summit, which continues at ministerial level this Tuesday in Washington, is first of all to help the States of the region to fight against the consequences of climate change which particularly affect them with the rise in the level of sea.
There is also an economic aspect, with investment plans in infrastructure, to facilitate growth and trade.
Finally, the United States also insists on the freedom and security of navigation and fishing in the region. The name is rarely mentioned, but as senior U.S. officials say, it’s clear that China plays some role in all of this. And it is obvious that its ambitions and its influence in this region are a reason for the American administration to continue its strategic offensive. The United States is very keenly aware of the importance of these island states. Joe Biden’s numerous references to the history of the Pacific War during the last world conflict constitute a strong implication.