Leaders from Pacific island countries gathered in Tokyo this week to discuss issues ranging from climate change to free trade agreements and security with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. China was also on the minds of many, especially with geopolitical tensions rising in the Indo-Pacific as Beijing increases its influence.
Japan, which has hosted the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) since 1997, considers the summit a central plank of its broader diplomacy in the region, which some experts see as aimed at countering China’s rise. Here is a selection of stories to bring you up to date on the latest developments.
Japan and Pacific island nations agreed Thursday to increase security, trade and climate cooperation following a three-day summit. PALM10 was attended by the 18 members of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.In an interview with Nikkei Asia, Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. said pressure from China is reaching a “new level,” after a tourism delegation was recently denied entry to Macao. “We’re really diversifying so that we’re not so dependent on Chinese tourists,” he said.
