WASHINGTON, Oct 25 — The United States and Australia are expected to make a major announcement regarding the joint undersea cable project that seeks to improve internet connection to Pacific Island states, a senior US administration official told reporters.
According to Sputnik, President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will have a bilateral meeting in Washington on Wednesday to discuss a range of matters concerning China, the Indo-Pacific region, Ukraine, and other topics of mutual interest.
“We expect to make a big splash with the submarine cable project announcement,” the official said.
The US official further said both sides will also make two important maritime infrastructure announcements relevant to the Pacific Islands.
The United States, Australia, and Japan are working together on a US$95 million undersea cable project that will connect the state of Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, Tarawa in Kiribati and Nauru to the existing cable landing point located in Pohnpei in Micronesia.
The partners are expected to finish laying the 1,400-mile undersea fibre optic cable in 2025.
The project is meant to counter China’s growing influence in the region.
— Bernama-Sputnik
