United States and China set to be excluded from Pacific Islands Forum meeting to avoid 'distraction'

Officials hope the decision to exclude the two global powers will allow Pacific leaders to meet without added expectations or pressures. (Pool Photo via AP: Jason Oxenham)

The Pacific's peak diplomatic body looks set to exclude the United States, China and several other major countries from a crucial leaders meeting in Fiji next month in a move that could help shelter the gathering from intensifying geostrategic competition buffeting the region.