China to host Pacific island countries’ envoys amid growing outreach

China to host Pacific island countries' envoys amid growing outreach China to host Pacific island countries' envoys amid growing outreach

SYDNEY — China’s top diplomat is set to host Pacific island leaders on Wednesday as Beijing seeks to weaken Taiwan’s diplomatic standing in the region.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with 11 of his counterparts and representatives from Beijing-friendly Pacific countries at the third China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the southern city of Xiamen.