The United States on Monday established diplomatic ties with the Cook Islands and Niue, in a move widely seen as part of efforts to roll back China's expanding influence in a strategically important region.The formal relations were forged as U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a meeting with Pacific islands leaders in Washington to boost cooperation in areas that matter most for them, including infrastructure building and steps to combat climate change and illegal fishing."The United States is committed to ensuring an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, prosperous, and secure," Biden said a…READ FULL ARTICLE
