US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom form Pacific group

The United States, Australia,Japan,NewZealandandthe United Kingdom launched an informalgroupaimed at boosting economicanddiplomatic ties withPacificislandnations, the White House said on Friday.

The Biden administration has vowed to commit more resources to the Indo-Pacificas China seeks to boost economic, militaryandpolice links withPacificislandnations hungry for foreign investment.

Thegroup, dubbed Partners in the BluePacific(PBP), will seek to supportPacificregionalismandstrengthen economic ties between thePacificislandsandthe rest of the world.

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"We are united in our shared determination to support a region that benefits the peoples of thePacific. We are also united in how we realize this vision according to principles ofPacificregionalism, sovereignty, transparency, accountability,andmost of all, ledandguided by thePacificIslands," the White House said.

White House Indo-Pacificcoordinator Kurt Campbell said on Thursday he expects more high-level U.S. officials to visitPacificislandcountries as Washington steps up its engagement to counter China in the strategically important region.

Campbell said the United States needed more diplomatic facilities across the region,andmore contact withPacificislandcountries that at times "receive lesser attention."

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