China is poised to weaken Allies in the Indo-Pacific through anti-colonial protests in New Caledonia

In the first quarter of 2024, the United States signed an agreement to provide $7.1 billion to the Free Associated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, continuing to implement a strategy to strengthen security forces in the Pacific and counter China's efforts to disengage allied forces.

The funding will be distributed over 20 years. The framework agreement also allows citizens of the islands that signed the contracts to serve in the US military. 2023 the US signed a defense framework agreement with Papua New Guinea.

In response to the US actions, China uses various economic and military instruments to undermine US partnerships in the Pacific. China's actions include covert attempts to bribe local officials, economic pressure on states that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and illegal fishing that harms local economies.