Blinken warns of China’s ‘problematic behaviour’ in Pacific

News Snapshot:

Other officials are due to fan across Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Palau and elsewhere in the weeks to come, seeking to close the gap in a region that administration officials acknowledge has gotten “short shrift”. The question will be whether Washington’s enticements can be enough to corral nations where China has a years-long head start. The United States largely abandoned the region after the Cold War. Mr Blinken held talks with Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni on the strategic importance of the region, ahead of visits to major allies New Zealand and Australia. The top US diplomat is set to...