• The move comes as the US is doing a lot of shuttle diplomacy in the Pacific to strengthen alliances against China.
• Washington has become more vocal and visible, announcing more diplomatic operations across the region.
• The Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will visit the Solomon Islands on Saturday.

A senior American official said Saturday that US President Joe Biden will welcome Pacific island leaders to the White House in September, extending a regional charm offensive to offset growing Chinese influence.

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told the leaders of Tonga that they would be invited to Washington for a meeting and dinner at the end of the month while she was there.

“This meeting will be a historic opportunity with the United States and Pacific island countries to hear and listen, the Pacific way,” Sherman said.

The move comes as the US is doing a lot of shuttle diplomacy in the Pacific to strengthen alliances against China.

In the past few months, Washington has become more vocal and visible, announcing more diplomatic operations across the region.

Antony Blinken visited and Kamala Harris spoke at the Pacific Islands Forum.

On Saturday, Sherman will go to the Solomon Islands to take part in events that remember the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Beijing and Washington are renewing their South Pacific battle over the Solomon Islands.

Western allies were alarmed by China’s April security accord with the island nation.

Critics say that the pact could give China a military presence in the South Pacific.

Some of Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s decisions may also be called into question because they remind people of China’s authoritarian style.

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Sogavare censored the official broadcaster, threatened other media, and delayed elections.

Sherman highlighted the local impact of China’s decision to suspend climate talks with the US, precipitated by Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan.

“For Tonga climate change is existential, and we understand that. And it’s just terribly disappointing that the world’s largest emitter right now, and a country who must be engaged for us to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius, has now withdrawn from that discussion,“Sherman added.

Under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, governments want to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Rising sea levels are a top issue in a region where many countries are barely a few feet above sea level and feel the effects of climate change.

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