Solomon Islands PM's absence dampens Biden's Pacific summit

The United States expressed disappointment that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will not attend a Pacific Islands summit with President Joe Biden next week, as part of Biden's efforts to increase engagement with the Pacific region amid competition with China. The summit with the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum will take place on Monday and Tuesday in Washington, with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele attending instead. Sogavare, who praised China's development cooperation at the United Nations General Assembly, had reached an understanding with President Xi Jinping during a July visit to China. Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman will also not attend due to a no-confidence vote in parliament.