Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: One Israeli soldier killed in a "security incident" in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Israeli media: Intense exchange of fire in Khan Younis
Israeli media platform reports on a tough incident in Gaza still under media censorship
Iran's judiciary says 71 killed in Israeli strike on Evin Prison
Trump: Make the deal, get the hostages back
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 67 Palestinians were martyred in 24 hours in the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip
Israeli media: For the first time, Prime Minister Netanyahu is signaling that he wants to end the war on Gaza
Israeli Channel 12, citing an American source: We want to have entered a path toward captive release and a ceasefire before Netanyahu arrives in Washington
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One martyr and two injured in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a motorcycle in the town of Mahrouna
Al Mayadeen correspondent to Southern Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle between the towns of Jwayya and Mahrouna.

US prepares to open embassy in Tonga in bid to push Beijing influence

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 May 2023 15:56
3 Min Read

The US is also set to continue negotiations with Vanuatu and Kiribati where it plans to open embassies, Daniel Kritenbrink told a subcommittee of the Senate foreign relations committee on Tuesday.

  • x
  • Aerial view of Tonga, December 29, 2021. (Reuters)
    Aerial view of Tonga, December 29, 2021. (Reuters)

The top US diplomat for East Asia said on Wednesday that the US is on its way to open a new embassy in Tonga this month, noting that the initiative is intended to increase US influence in the Pacific to counter China's.

The US is also set to continue negotiations with Vanuatu and Kiribati where it plans to open embassies, Daniel Kritenbrink told a subcommittee of the Senate foreign relations committee on Tuesday.

The US State Department previously stated in June 2022  its ambition to open an embassy in Vanuatu. The US entertains good diplomatic ties with the country, but at present they are cared for by US diplomats based in Papua New Guinea. 

Read more: West competes with China over Pacific influence

On February 2, the US reopened its embassy in Solomon Islands after a 30-year-long pause.

Ever since the Solomon Islands concluded a security deal with China in 2022, the US and its allies Australia and New Zealand have raised concerns that China is planning to set up a naval base in the Pacific.

Related News

Islamophobic attacks surge after Mamdani’s historic primary victory

US frees felon to build case against falsely deported Abrego: WashPo

US and allies seeking to contain China

The US, UK and Australia had also formed their AUKUS alliance in a bid to contain China. The alliance was based on enhancing Australia's nuclear capabilities through advanced technology and nuclear submarines in order to increase the alliance's strength in the South Pacific as China grows more influential in its region.

The US has also deployed a diplomatic presence across the region with the intent to renew agreements with the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Besides safeguarding the islands' defense, the agreements would also involve gaining exclusive access to the Pacific. 

Yet, things are unlikely to unfold as quickly, since the US failed to assume its role in causing massive destruction on the environment in the Marshall Islands where nuclear tests were conducted.

The Biden administration is currently working on securing a $7.1bn fund from Congress over the next 20 years to provide the three countries with economic assistance. 

There are also talks of a possible stop for US President Joe Biden to make an official visit in Papua New Guinea on 22 May, as per sources familiar with the matter. 

Read more: 'Urgent, immediate' action on climate called for by Pacific Islands

  • United States
  • Kiribati
  • Vanuatu
  • Asia Pacific
  • US
  • Tonga
  • Asian-Pacific

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
The site of a direct missile strike launched from Iran in Tel Aviv on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Op. True Promise 3, wave 21: Multi-warhead missiles rain on 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 23 Jun 2025
Iran says targeted US Qatar air base under Op. Annunciation of Victory

Iran says targeted US Qatar air base under Op. Annunciation of Victory

  • MENA
  • 23 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli media: Iran struck sensitive bases; only a fraction revealed
Politics

Only a fraction of Iranian missiles impact revealed: Israeli media

Pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney ends in crackdown, serious injury
Politics

Pro-Palestine Sydney protest ends in violent crackdown, serious injury

Israeli soldiers
Palestine

IOF soldiers blame army for negligence after deadly Khan Younis ambush

Corsican Assembly recognizes Palestine, condemns Israeli genocide
Politics

Corsican Assembly recognizes Palestine, condemns Israeli genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS