US opens embassy in Vanuatu, heightening rivalry with China

Washington expands diplomatic presence in the Pacific, adding to embassies in Solomon Islands and Tonga

WASHINGTON:

The United States inaugurated an embassy in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Thursday, marking the latest move in its ongoing competition with China for influence in the Asia Pacific region.

"The opening of the embassy builds upon our efforts to provide more diplomatic presence throughout the region and to engage further with our Pacific neighbors," the US Department of State stated.

This development follows the recent openings of US embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga. Additionally, plans are in place to establish another embassy in Kiribati, pending parliamentary approval, a State Department official informed Congress in March.

Washington's strategic initiative aims to strengthen its diplomatic footprint in the Pacific, countering what it perceives as an escalating threat from China, its primary strategic rival.

In February, the United States advised Pacific island nations to be cautious about accepting assistance from Chinese security forces. This caution followed a Reuters report revealing that Chinese police were operating in Kiribati, a remote atoll nation near Hawaii.

Chinese police have been deployed in the Solomon Islands since 2022, following a secret security pact that has been criticised by the United States and Australia for potentially undermining regional stability. Additionally, concerns have been raised about workers in military uniforms in Vanuatu, after a Chinese company commenced logging operations there.