The US Administration is highly concerned with the growing Chinese influence in Oceania and is actively trying to build up its diplomatic contacts with the region. Washington increases coordination with Canberra and Wellington.
On April 13, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about bilateral cooperation and plans to reopen the US Embassy in Honiara. Later that day Wendy Sherman had video calls with New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Chris Seed and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Kathryn Campbell. They reached an agreement on increasing cooperation and strengthening peace and security in the region. Sherman also expressed her concern about the “current situation in the Indo-Pacific Region”. A number of experts believe that there is a growing concern in the US Administration about an ongoing preparation of a security deal between China and Solomon Islands. Analysts fear that this agreement will let China built its first military base in Oceania. Washington is actively trying to involve Canberra and Wellington in its measures, aimed at containing China, because of their traditional political influence in Southern Pacific. Of particular note are the visits of the Australian spy chiefs Paul Symon and Andrew Shearer to Solomon Islands on April 6, and Federal Pacific Minister Senator Zed Seselja on April 12-13, who held meetings with Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare. According to sources familiar with the situation, The United States will send a delegation of senior officials, led by National Security Council Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell and Assistant Secretary of the East Asia and Pacific Department Daniel Critenbrink to Solomon Islands. The main goal is to violate the agreement. For this reason, the White House is allegedly working out ways to increase the volume of practical cooperation with the region. Soon we will see whether Washington can effectively oppose Beijing in the region.