This time, the White House invited leaders or senior officials from 14 countries including the Marshall Islands, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tonga to attend the summit, and Australia and New Zealand were also invited as observers.

has been neglected for decades. Recently, the United States has suddenly increased its attention to Pacific island countries.

From September 28 to 29 local time, leaders or senior officials of the United States and Pacific island countries held their first summit in Washington. This time, White House invited leaders or senior officials from 14 countries including Marshall Islands , Palau , Solomon Islands and Tonga to attend the summit. Australia and New Zealand were also invited as observers. This is the first time that Pacific island leaders have been invited to the White House for such a meeting.

From the perspective of the US attendees, it also shows how much it attaches to the summit. US President Biden will personally host the summit on September 29 local time. In addition, senior officials such as U.S. Secretary of State Blinken , Commerce Secretary Raymondo, climate envoy Kerry , U.S. Congress Speaker Pelosi , National Security Advisor Sullivan and other senior officials will also attend the two-day summit.

The first summit was added to more than 800 million investments

According to the U.S. State Department release, the topics of this summit are very broad, and will involve addressing climate change, economic recovery, environmental protection, and promoting the "free and open Indo-Pacific region", etc., expand and deepen cooperation on these key issues to demonstrate the so-called "a deep and lasting partnership between the United States and the Pacific region based on common history, values ​​and humanistic ties."

Australia Broadcasting Corporation quoted U.S. National Security Council Indo-Pacific affairs coordinator Campbell, saying that the goal of the summit is not only to listen to the opinions of the leaders of the Pacific island countries, but "and to put a lot of resources on the table." According to the Washington Post , citing U.S. officials, the Biden administration will announce further investment of more than $860 million to the region on the basis of providing more than $1.5 billion in aid to the region over the past 10 years to expand aid.

Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center of East China Normal University Chen Hong believes that the symbolic significance of this "US-Pacific Summit" is far greater than its practical significance. Over the past decades, the United States has not given the attention it deserves to be paid to Pacific island countries, but simply regarded it as a tourist destination, a source of minerals and natural resources, and a nuclear test site. For example, from 1946 to 1958, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands, causing great harm to the health and environment of local people.

"The so-called 'common history and values' of the United States may not exist in the hearts of the South Pacific island countries. What the local area sees is the long-term neglect of the Pacific region and the unrespectful abuse of resources. Under such circumstances, it is difficult for the United States to achieve practical results in the summit held by La Pacific island countries, and there is doubt to the extent to which the investment promised by the United States can be fulfilled."

The United States has made intensive moves in the Pacific region

In fact, this summit is just one of a series of diplomatic activities carried out by the United States in the region this year.

This year, China deepened cooperation with Pacific island countries, and was targeted and stigmatized by Western countries led by the United States. US officials began to frequently travel to Pacific island countries and set off a intensive diplomatic offensive. In February this year, Blinken became the first US Secretary of State to visit Fiji in 37 years. In April, Campbell led a delegation to visit the Solomon Islands. In July, U.S. Vice President Harris announced that it would open two new embassies in the Pacific region. In August, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Sherman visited the Pacific island nation...

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken hosted a "Blue Pacific Partner" Foreign Ministers' Meeting during the UN General Assembly. He claimed that the United States will be deeply committed to the development of the Pacific region and cooperate in responding to climate change and strengthening infrastructure construction. The outside world believes that this is laying the foundation for the first "US-Pacific Island Summit". The establishment of " Blue Pacific Partner " is to check and balance China's rising influence in the South Pacific region.

"If something goes wrong, there will be a demon!" Chen Hong said that the United States suddenly became very interested in the Pacific region, not out of real concern and attention, but in order to "compete" with China.

In recent years, China and Pacific island countries have continuously achieved cooperation results on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, providing tangible help to improve local economy and people's livelihood. However, the United States regards itself as a threat to its cooperation. "The United States frequently 'shows' in the Pacific region and actively holds this summit, just to show that the Biden administration is trying to return to the Pacific region. And its purpose of returning is actually to exclude and suppress China's existence in the region, as well as China's economic cooperation with Pacific island countries."

Chen Hong pointed out that the United States is actually trying to use the Pacific region as an important fulcrum of its " Indo-Pacific Strategy " in the southern hemisphere, trying to squeeze China's existence by exerting political influence on the region, forming a so-called "blockade" against China in the " Second Island Chain ".

In this regard, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation commented that behind this "US-Pacific Summit" is the Biden administration's move to strengthen diplomatic, development and business presence in the Pacific region, and to deal with China's growing influence in the region. The British " Guardian " believes that this is a new attempt by the United States to strengthen relations with the Pacific island countries and a response to China's influence.

The United States may be difficult to achieve its goal

While the United States is actively trying to win over, the attitude of the Pacific island countries is pouring a pot of cold water.

Just the day before the summit, the Solomon Islands sent diplomatic notes to other Pacific island countries, announcing that they would not sign a joint declaration with the United States this week, and emphasized that all parties have not reached a consensus on the content of the document.

and Samoa Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fei Yamei revealed that the declaration the United States wants to reach at the summit is relatively "general", and she does not want to see the United States increase its military presence in the Pacific region.

In addition, many media also reported that the Pacific island countries advocated deleting a controversial content in the joint declaration, that is, it is necessary for the Pacific island countries to "confidentially consult with each other on security decisions with regional influence." According to reports, this content appears to be targeting the relevant security agreement previously signed by China and the Solomon Islands.

Local time on September 24, local time, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare said on the 77th United Nations General Assembly that day that since establishing diplomatic relations with China, his country has been subjected to "a series of unfounded and irresponsible criticism, rumors and intimidation."

In Chen Hong's view, Western countries led by the United States not only slander China and the Institute of International Studies, but also attempt to intervene in military and politically in the Solomon Islands, which aroused strong indignation from the Solomon Islands. Over the years, the West has adopted a domineering attitude towards Pacific island countries, which fully demonstrates that they only regard Pacific countries as "chess pieces" rather than real partners.

"And the Pacific island countries are obviously also well aware of the 'intention' of the United States and Western countries. They are unwilling to become strategic tools for the United States to target China and are unwilling to be tied to the chariot of containment of China. The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands' statement also reflects the voice of most Pacific island countries to a certain extent."

(Look at the news Knews editor Yang Zhen)