The U.S. Secretary of State has called on China to act in “a fair and transparent way” in the South Pacific.

According to the VOA News, Hillary Clinton spoke at the 16-member Pacific Islands Forum in the Cook Islands where she announced $32 million in new U.S. programs for the region on issues ranging from sustainable development, climate change and marine protection.

She played down a growing perception of a U.S.-China rivalry in the region, saying the South Pacific is “big enough” for both the U.S. and China.

However, Clinton urged China to distribute its growing aid in the region fairly. Some analysts have said China is using its overseas investments to exploit resources at the expense of local populations.

After the Cook Islands, the top U.S. diplomat travels to Indonesia, China, Brunei, East Timor and Russia.