Biden to host White House Pacific island summit

US President Joe Biden will host Pacific island leaders at the White House in September, a senior American diplomat said Saturday, deepening a regional charm offensive to counter growing Chinese influence.

Visiting Tonga, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said the leaders would be invited to Washington for a meeting and dinner late in the month.

“This meeting will be a historic opportunity with the United States and Pacific islands countries to hear and listen, the Pacific way,” Sherman said.

The move comes amid a flurry of US shuttle diplomacy looking to bolster alliances in the Pacific against a more assertive Beijing.

Read More : https://www.arabnews.com/node/2137231/world