US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is looking to counter growing Chinese influence in the Pacific Islands during her time in Rarotonga.
Clinton's plane touched down in the Pacific Island nation on Friday night to much fanfare after a US military aircraft arrived ahead of her.
Her visit will serve to regain United States influence from China as Pacific leaders say they have been left feeling neglected by the world superpower.
Tonga Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano said the Pacific Islands had welcomed Chinese investment in the region.
"China is having a relationship with everyone in the Pacific and they have to understand we in the Pacific are little countries and we don't have any resources."
China has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, grants and soft loans in the region.
Hillary Clinton said on Saturday that she wanted China to contribute to the region in a fair and transparent way.
"We want to see them play a positive role in marine navigation and maritime security issues," she said.
"We want to see them contribute to sustainable development for the people of the Pacific."
China has been accused of negotiating formal military links with the military-led government in Fiji.
The partnership could see Fiji - which remains suspended from the Pacific Islands forum - open its ports to Chinese naval vessels.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai denied the claims.
"We are here in this region not to seek any particular type of influence," said Cui.
"We are here to work with the island nations to achieve sustainable development."