While Scott Morrison has angered Pacific leaders over his intransigence in support of coal, China may not be able to exploit the tensions to build regional influence because of its own reliance on fossil fuels, a top strategic policy expert says.

Mr Morrison was forced to defend Australia's record on climate change during acrimonious talks with Pacific leaders  where he blocked efforts to reach a consensus on calling for an immediate ban on new coal mines and coal-fired power generation at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu.