China’s Push for Agreement With Pacific Island Nations Stalls

SUVA, Fiji—A proposal for deeper security and trade ties between China and Pacific island nations didn’t advance at a summit involving top officials from those countries, after at least one leader said it could give Beijing too much influence in the region.

China had planned at the summit to press for the regional agreement, which would have expanded law enforcement and cybersecurity cooperation, while exploring the possibility of creating a free-trade zone between China and Pacific island countries. But days before the meeting, a letter from the president of the Federated States of Micronesia, which has close ties with Washington, became public and warned Pacific nations to be cautious about the deal.