US-China tensions rise as Blinken plans trip to Papua New Guinea.

China warns against "geopolitical games" in the South Pacific as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to visit Papua New Guinea next week. The US has made a greater focus on the Pacific region central to its global outreach to counter China's growing influence there. During his visit, Blinken will meet with leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum and sign bilateral defense cooperation and maritime security agreements with Papua New Guinea.