Sydney | Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Henry Puna on Sunday invited closer economic cooperation with China in welcoming remarks to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is on an island-hopping tour aimed at deepening Beijing’s ties with the Pacific nations.

Mr Puna’s remarks come days after new Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong visited the archipelago and urged Pacific Island nations to consider the “consequences” of security deals with Beijing, amid a growing tussle between Australia and China for influence in the region.