US Vice President Harris launches $600 million push into Pacific

The United States on Wednesday launched a major push in the Pacific to stem China’s advance in the region, with Vice President Kamala Harris announcing $600 million in funding at a key regional summit.

Harris also announced that the US will open two new embassies – in Tonga and Kiribati – during an unprecedented speech at the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji.

The US will also send its first-ever country to the Pacific and launch an initial national strategy for the region.

The US-China rivalry has drawn much interest for this year’s forum, which brings together leaders from the strategically important Pacific region.

It is the first time regional leaders have met since Solomon Islands signed a controversial security pact with China earlier this year.

Harris’ video link speech was a diplomatic coup for the US, as China has not yet been invited to make a similar appearance at the summit.

At least one official from the local Chinese embassy was in the room for Harris’ speech, which caused a stir among organizers.

The US vice president thanked Fiji President Voreqe Bainimarama for inviting him to speak at the summit and said the US was ready to start “a new chapter” in the Pacific.

Harris said she and US President Joe Biden have acknowledged that the Pacific may not have received enough attention in the past.

“We will change that,” she promised, adding that the US wants to “significantly deepen our presence in the Pacific region.”

Alongside a pledge of $60 million in economic aid to the Forum Fisheries Agency, she said the US would also restart the Pacific Peace Corps.

She said the US wants to work together on maritime security, disaster relief and infrastructure projects that “do not result in insurmountable debt.”

“We are very pleased that the US will open an embassy in Tonga, it will be the first time,” Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni told AFP.

“This is a big milestone. We are very excited to finally have a US presence in Tonga.”