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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Siosifa Pomana in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, and Julian Borger in Washington

Biden pledges more aid to Pacific islands to counter growing Chinese influence

Joe Biden talks with the Cook Islands prime minister, Mark Brown, flanked by Papua New Guinea prime minister, James Marape, left, and Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau, at the White House.
Joe Biden talks with the Cook Islands prime minister, Mark Brown, flanked by Papua New Guinea prime minister, James Marape, left, and Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau, at the White House. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

Joe Biden has offered more economic aid to Pacific islands at a White House meeting with leaders from the region aimed at bolstering US engagement in the face of a growing Chinese presence.

The president also announced formal US recognition of two new island nations, the Cook Islands and Niue, at the start of the Pacific Islands Forum, two days of Washington meetings with leaders from the group’s 18 members.

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