NEW YORK -- A U.S.-led alliance that includes Japan, Australia, Britain and New Zealand intends to keep China in check by providing large-scale economic assistance to Pacific island nations.
The first meeting of foreign ministers from the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP), which was established in June to support Pacific island nations, was held in New York on Thursday.
In a joint statement, the PBP said it is committed to working on climate change, illegal fishing, infrastructure development and other issues that are a priority for Pacific island nations.
