Pacific leaders are set to meet in Japan following a series of forums and diplomatic trips highlighting the jostle for regional influence between Australia, its allies and China.
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong will represent Australia at the Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, known as PALM, in Tokyo.
"Australia and Japan are working together to deliver on Pacific priorities such as climate resilience, infrastructure, health, and digital connectivity," she said in a statement on Wednesday as she departed Canberra.
"Australia and Japan share the Pacific's vision for a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous and where sovereignty is respected."
The meeting comes after China courted the new Solomon Islands prime minister and Vanuatu's leader earlier in July.
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has asked the Bank of China to set up operations in the Pacific when he visited China.
It goes against the aim of a recent Pacific banking forum in Australia where further support for financial systems was offered to reduce reliance on any Chinese aid.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele also met recently with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Premier Li Qiang while in Beijing.
Development is a major issue for the Pacific nation, with its economy struggling and budgetary position precarious.
Beijing has since announced about $30 million in budget support for the Solomons.
A controversial Sino-Solomons security pact inked under his predecessor has drawn scorn from Australia and Western partners, which see the role of policing in the region as one for regional partners.
Mr Manele visited Australia as his first international trip after taking office before he travelled to China, when Australia pledged to help strengthen its police force to "reduce its reliance on external partners".
Pacific Minister Pat Conroy has explicitly stated China had no role in helping police the region.
Australian Associated Press
