Insight - Pacific bloc demands climate action from China, US

Clear picture: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese poses for a selfie with staff and students at the forum. The Pacific Islands are clear about what they want from China and the United States, regarding climate change. — AFP

PACIFIC island nations, courted by China and the United States, put the superpowers on notice, telling the world’s two biggest carbon emitters to take more action on climate change while pledging unity in the face of a growing geopolitical contest.

Leaders at a four-day summit of the Pacific Islands Forum, meeting in Fiji’s capital Suva, bristled at a Chinese attempt to split some of the nations off into a trade and security agreement, while Washington pledged more financial and diplomatic engagement.