The US will provide an additional $810m in support to Pacific island countries and recognise Niue and Cook Islands as sovereign states, as part of the country’s push to step up engagement with the region in the wake of China’s growing presence in the Pacific.

The White House unveiled its Pacific strategy, outlining its plan to assist the Pacific on issues such as climate change, maritime security and protecting the area from overfishing.

The Pacific strategy document issued by the US warns of the “heightened geopolitical competition impacts” for the Pacific Island countries, making specific reference to China.

The administration said it would also establish a regional mission of the US agency for international development in Fiji’s capital of Suva and reiterated plans to open embassies in the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Kiribati, and to bring Peace Corp volunteers back to some Pacific countries.

The White House also announced plans to recognise the Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign states, after “appropriate consultations”.