From Beijing to Cook Islands: Pacific Island Forum ramps up as Albanese touches down

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived in the Cook Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives for the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

This year's summit aims to strengthen Pacific unity while addressing climate, geopolitics, and regional threats.

But the leaders of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands will not attend this week's annual Pacific Islands Forum, posing a challenge for regional unity amid competition for influence between China and the United States.

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