Biden’s ‘Cannibals’ Tale Gives China an Opportunity in the Pacific

China is capitalizing on President Biden’s recent comments about cannibalism in Papua New Guinea, as part of a campaign to kneecap America’s diplomatic overtures to Pacific Island countries.

Papua New Guinea is already navigating a narrow diplomatic path between the U.S. and China. It signed a monumental basing-access agreement with Washington last summer — but it has also continued to seek close ties with Beijing and accept Chinese assistance on security and policing. Prime minister James Marape traveled to China for a meeting with General Secretary Xi in October.