Pacific Islands leaders will declare an “ocean of peace” urging powers to respect the region’s sovereignty, Australia’s prime minister said Wednesday at a summit clouded by China’s alleged meddling.

There was a heavy police presence in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara as the 18 Pacific Islands Forum member states met in the Friendship Hall, near the 10,000-seat National Stadium built and financed by the Chinese government.

There were also signs of repairs to the city’s usually pothole-filled roads.

Journalists were allowed to take pictures at the start of closed-door talks before being quickly ushered out.

Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he expected leaders to endorse a Fiji-backed push to declare an “ocean of peace”.

“This c

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