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The US Department of State has announced intentions for a US embassy to be built at Port Vila in the Republic of Vanuatu, under a bilateral relationship with the ni-Vanuatu government.
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The US Department of State conveyed plans for a permanent diplomatic presence in Vanuatu, subject to Congressional notification, in public statements made on 31 March.
A Port Vila embassy would support US Indo-Pacific strategy and deepen relationships with ni-Vanuatu officials for development assistance, to tackle the climate crisis, and facilitate areas of potential bilateral cooperation.
US National Security Council Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell met with local officials on 22 March for bilateral talks, reintroducing a peace corps program and reviving US Coast Guard presence to protect marine resources, according to a ni-Vanuatu government statement.
The statement also noted around $3 million had been announced by the US to fund shelter, water, and food security.
There are already six foreign embassies in the country including the Australian High Commission, Honorary Consulate of Belgium, Chinese Embassy, Embassy of France, Consulate of the Philippines, and Honorary Consulate of Sweden.
Earlier this year, Vanuatu Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau Ma’aukora travelled to Australia to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. It was their first meeting since Prime Minister Kalsakau’s election last November, and the first time a Vanuatu prime minister has made an official visit to Australia since 2018.
People’s Republic of China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China is not opposed to other countries’ efforts to grow ties with Pacific Island countries.
“We believe that cooperation with Pacific Island countries should be aimed at supporting the development of the region, rather than target at any third party,” she said during a regular press conference on 3 April.
“We stand ready to work with all interested parties to leverage our strengths and contribute jointly to the development and prosperity of the region.
“I would also like to stress that China has no intention to out-influence anyone in the Pacific Islands region, and we are not interested in geopolitical contests.”
