Toward Programme
Leaders missing and China ‘furious’: the Pacific Islands forum off to a decidedly shaky start - The Conversation
GNews: The Conversation Major outlet·2026-09-01PacificP5: Strategic DecouplingP7: Alliance ArchitectureP8: Northern Arc
Why it matters
The article indicates that Australia and Western allies retain sufficient diplomatic influence to convene a major Pacific regional forum while excluding China—a signal of coalition cohesion in the Indo-Pacific. However, China's reported anger and the 'shaky' start raise medium-term risks of Chinese diplomatic retaliation or side-deals with smaller island states, requiring sustained Australian diplomatic and development effort in the Northern Arc.
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