The United States officially recognized the independence of the two countries.

US President Joe Biden said today that the United States will recognize the independence of two small Pacific nations, the Cook Islands and Niue, confirming an earlier announcement by officials.

Biden said, ahead of a summit with Pacific Island leaders this week, that the United States is part of a charm offensive to prevent China from advancing further into a strategic region that Washington has long considered its own backyard.

In his statement, Biden said that the United States has a long history of cooperation with the Cook Islands dating back to World War II, and that the US military has built airport runways on one of these islands.

“Today’s announcement will allow us to expand the reach of this long-standing partnership as we work to address the challenges that matter most to the lives of our people,” he said.

The White House said the summit will focus on priorities such as climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, public health and combating illegal fishing.