Biden pledges ‘no strings’ Pacific pandemic support

President Joe Biden told a forum of Pacific island leaders in a recorded message on Friday that their countries would benefit from U.S. donated COVID-19 vaccines distributed without political strings. China has in recent years become a more assertive competitor for influence in the Pacific, prompting the United States and its allies to warn island nations against becoming indebted to Beijing. China has consistently said it engages with Pacific nations with mutual respect and on an equal footing.