SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has thrown 21 donor countries, including the United States and China, out of the region’s top political meeting.
Initially, Manele banned Taiwanese officials from the talks after sustained pressure from China which is a major funder.
But Taiwan’s allies – Samoa and the Marshall Islands, pushed back, threatening not to attend.
Manele then decided to create a wider ban and limit discussions to the Pacific leaders.
Solomon Islands is hosting the annual meeting of the 18-member bloc’s forum in September.
Marshall Islands President, Hilda Heine said: “ I believe firmly that the Forum belongs to its members, not countries that are non-members. And non-members should not be allowed to dictate how our premier regional organisations conduct its business,” said Heine.