By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -The Pacific Islands bloc did not overturn a decision to exclude 21 donor countries, including the United States and China, from the region’s top political meeting after a lengthy debate, officials said.

Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers met in Fiji, holding “robust discussion” over the decision made by Solomon Islands as the host of next month’s leaders meeting, Tonga’s Foreign Minister, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, told reporters.

“We will engage more closely with partners in the months to come,” he added.

Solomon Islands made the decision after pressure from China to block Taiwan’s participation, Pacific officials and politicians said last week.

“It is more important than ever that the region stands together and sets our own agenda – r

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