Lapse Of Agreement With Marshall Islands Could Open Door To China In Pacific

The Biden administration has until September 30 to renew a strategic agreement with the Marshall Islands, viewed by analysts as central to countering China’s growing influence in the Pacific.

• Politico reports that failure to renew the agreement, “could provide an opening to Beijing to strengthen its diplomatic, economic and military muscle in a region astride critically strategic sea lanes linking Hawaii to the Philippines.”
• US Ambassador Joseph Yun said: “There’s no question Beijing is watching. It is clear that they are waiting for an opening and I think we would be silly to hand them the opening.”
• President Biden is scheduled to convene a summit of Pacific Island leaders at the White House on Monday September 25 to, "reaffirm the U.S. commitment to our shared regional priorities and deepening our cooperation around them,” according to the White House.
• Reuters notes: “Biden hosted a first summit with 14 Pacific island nations a year ago at which his administration pledged to help islanders stave off China's "economic coercion," and he promised to work harder with allies and partners to address their needs.”