U.S. doubling down on investment in the Pacific – senior diplomat

By Lucy Craymer

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The world’s future will probably be written within the Pacific, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman mentioned in New Zealand on Tuesday, as she wrapped up a whistle-stop tour of Pacific nations supposed to display Washington’s dedication to the Pacific area.

Sherman mentioned in a information convention in Wellington it was vital for the US to have interaction within the Pacific and that senior U.S. leaders consider “the long run will probably be written right here within the Pacific” with out elaborating on what the long run might maintain.

The US is worried about China’s ambitions to increase its navy presence within the Pacific after it struck a safety pact with the Solomon Islands this 12 months.

“We’re doubling down on our funding right here within the Pacific,” Sherman mentioned. She added that the US was doing every little thing doable to have interaction within the area and promote the principles based mostly worldwide order to make sure all people can prosper in peace and safety.

Up to now 5 days Sherman has met leaders in Samoa, Tonga, Australia and Solomon Islands and attended commemorations which marked the eightieth anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal. Though Sherman met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, he didn’t attend a daybreak service organised by the US, which native media reported as a “snub.”

In New Zealand, Sherman met Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the 2 mentioned coordinating U.S.-New Zealand efforts within the Pacific, together with fostering financial prosperity by means of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The 2 international locations additionally signed agreements associated to house and emergency administration co-operation.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Enhancing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)