Pacific Islands Forum: four leaders fail to attend as China-US rivalry takes centre stage

The US has been racing to reopen embassies and deepen links with Pacific countries in wake of Solomon Islands security pact with China

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The leaders of three Melanesian countries are missing the region's most important annual political gathering, dealing a blow to attempts by Pacific island countries to project unity at a time of rising geopolitical rivalry.

Officials confirmed the prime ministers of Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea would not be travelling to the Cook Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum (Pif) meeting running from Monday to Friday.