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.

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. 

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