Biden to host Pacific Island leaders in U.S to counter China's Pacific ambitions

• U.S. President Joe Biden will host leaders of Pacific Island nations in Washington on September 28-29. According to a Reuters report, it is an effort by U.S to step up ties with a region which is increasingly being courted by China. White House said that the summit will reflect the United States' 'broadening and deepening cooperation on key issues such as climate change, economic recovery, maritime security and advancing a free & open Indo-Pacific'.