United States to open Embassy in Vanuatu to counter Chinese presence

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) is open to opening its embassy in Vanuatu, a country in the South Pacific Ocean, to counter China’s presence in the region.

According to reports, efforts are being made to combat China, a tech rival of the US, in the Pacific Ocean region. The Washington administration which has ties with the island nation also has plans of opening embassies in Kiribati and Tonga, reported The Guardian. 

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The state department confirmed the reports, on the other hand, Washington is working to boost its diplomatic presence in the region as China’s influence grows. In a statement, the state department said: “Consistent with the US Indo-Pacific strategy, a permanent diplomatic presence in Vanuatu would allow the US government to deepen relationships with Ni-Vanuatu officials and society”.

On Friday, the state department said the US embassy would “facilitate areas of potential bilateral cooperation and development assistance”.

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On the other hand, the US has reopened its embassy in the Solomon Islands after a break of thirty years. Earlier, the government of the Solomon Islands announced that it had entered into a multi-million dollar contract with a Chinese state company to improve its international airport. 

Reportedly the US Indo-Pacific coordinator, Kurt Campbell is set to visit the region including Vanuatu. According to The Guardian reports, given the rising tensions with China, the US and its allies in the region have expressed concern that Chinese authorities hope to build a naval base in the region following a pact with the Solomon Islands last year. 

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