Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, will visit Papua New Guinea (PNG) next week in place of President Joe Biden, whose trip was canceled due to U.S. debt limit talks. The visit comes amid efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific. Biden informed PNG leader James Marape on May 18 that he would have to return to Washington after the G7 summit in Japan to attend meetings with Congressional leaders. He reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to its partnership with Pacific island nations and invited Marape to Washington for a U.S.-Pacific summit later this year. Blinken will attend the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum summit in Port Moresby and conduct talks with Pacific Islands Forum leaders on cooperation in addressing climate issues and advancing inclusive economic growth in the region. The United States has sought to engage more with the Pacific region following worries among many countries in the region about Beijing’s increasing influence.