Biden to host Pacific Island leaders as China courts region

12 countries, including the Solomon Islands, invited to Sept. 28-29 summit in U.S.

The summit will reflect Washington's "broadening and deepening cooperation on key issues such as climate change, pandemic response, economic recovery, maritime security, environmental protection, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific," the White House said in a statement. © Reuters

September 3, 2022 03:21 JST

Updated on September 3, 2022 10:23 JST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- U.S. President Joe Biden will host leaders of Pacific Island nations at a Sept. 28-29 gathering in Washington, the White House said on Friday, the latest U.S. effort to step up ties with the region increasingly courted by China.