China, Australia raise climate change, security at Pacific leaders summit

Australia and China pledged more support for the Pacific Islands in their fight against climate change, as the leaders of four nations debate declaring the strategic region "neutral" as China and the United States jostle for influence. Climate change, security and trade dominated the opening day of a summit meeting of the leaders of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia's ruling FLNKS party. U.S. ally Australia and China were invited to speak at the summit, and the leaders are expected to issue a statement after a retreat on Thursday.