The U.S. has announced it will join an Australian effort to push back against China’s expanding presence in South East Asia with the decision join in the modernization of the Lombrum naval base at Manus in Papua New Guinea. This unlikely country has suddenly become the focus of the struggle between the Western Pacific powers and China, which has been using its soft power to increase its influence in South East Asia over the past few years. On Nov. 16 during the APEC summit in the PNG capital Port Moresby, Vice President, Mike Pence, said “the United States will partner with Papua New Guinea and Australia on their joint initiative at Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island. We will work with these nations to protect sovereignty and maritime rights of the Pacific Islands as well.” Earlier in his speech Pence warned countries about succumbing to Chinese soft power by accepting loans and infrastructure programmes: “As we’re all aware, some are offering infrastructure loans to governments across the Indo-Pacific and the wider world. Yet the terms of those loans are often opaque at best. Projects they support are often unsustainable and of poor quality. And too often, they come with strings attached and lead to staggering debt.” He said the US offers a better option.