The Latest Breaking News from Anna Powles

The Solomon Islands has told Pacific nations invited to a White House meeting with President Joe Biden it won't sign the summit declaration, according to a note seen by Reuters, prompting concern over the islands' ties to China.

The US is elevating its engagement with the Pacific as Beijing increases its presence in the region.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have strong security links, and while the two countries have never signed a formal treaty, the fact one is being considered may signal a desire to build a deeper defence relationship as China entrenches its power in the Pacific.

The Pacific Islands Forum has come out of leaders' week with a sense of purpose - but sketches in need of filling out.

Vice-president Kamala Harris has announced postings in Kiribati and Tonga as leaders gather in Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum

New Zealand prime minister says leaders had been trying to persuade Kiribati not to withdraw from the forum

All eyes are on Suva, as nations gather for the Pacific Islands Forum at a time of intense geopolitical interest.

President says it will not be attending forum because of failure to address concerns of Micronesian countries

Beijing is attempting to muscle in on the Pacific's most important high-level gathering, pushing for a meeting with the region's foreign ministers on the same day as another key event.

With bilateral successes but a multilateral failure, what lies ahead for Bejing's role in the Pacific?

China's government says it remains confident it can strike a sweeping trade and security agreement with 10 Pacific Island states despite being forced to shelve its proposed agreement, but a new position paper walks back previous references on joint policing, free trade and cybersecurity.