Chinese officials have snuck into the Pacific Islands Forum against protocol, listening in to a major address by United States Vice President Kamala Harris.
On Wednesday morning, Ms Harris virtually addressed Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) delegates, assembled in Suva for the annual leaders' summit.
Ms Harris appeared at the invitation of PIF chair Fiji, a rare invitation extended to a great power, one which Anthony Albanese said came with Australia's blessing.
Two Chinese officials, without credentials, were spotted in the room as Ms Harris announced a suite of new initiatives and support for the Pacific.
The Guardian reports the pair were defence attaches, and asked to leave by Fijian police.
PIF officials have not responded to questions as to whether the pair were authorised to attend.
Like the speaking invitation extended to Ms Harris, the involvement of Chinese delegates in the Pacific summit runs counter to normal proceedings, usually reserved for PIF members.
The leaders summit is being held amid swollen geopolitical interest in the Pacific, with China setting the pace.
Earlier this year Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited a swathe of Pacific nations, signing dozens of bilateral deals.
The most notable was a security tie-up with the Solomon Islands, which has concerned Australia and New Zealand.
On Wednesday, the United States made a raft of announcements, with Ms Harris admitting it was playing catch-up.
"The history and the future of the Pacific Islands and the United States are inextricably linked. We have historic bonds going back generations," she said.
"We recognise in recent years the Pacific Islands may not have received the diplomatic attention and support that you deserve.
"Today I am here to tell you directly we are going to change that."
US initiatives included new embassies in Kiribati and Tonga, $US600 million of support through a new fisheries agreement, and the introduction of the Peace Corps into the region.
In a thinly veiled swipe at Chinese assertiveness, Ms Harris urged PIF members to commit to the "international rules-based order".
"These international rules and norms have brought peace and stability to the Pacific for more than 75 years," she said.
"Principles that importantly state that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected, principles that allow all states big and small to conduct their affairs free from aggression or coercion.
"At a time when we see bad actors seeking to undermine the rules based order, we must stand united."
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta attended the speech, which came before Mr Albanese's arrival in Suva later on Wednesday.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the package of measures "useful".
"For a long time you would have heard members of the Pacific Islands Forum calling for greater engagement," she said.
"Today the United States has responded to that directly."
The invitation and engagement is expected to illicit a response from Beijing, which attempted to schedule meetings with PIF members during the summit - but was rebuffed.
