China's Defence Minister, Wei Fenghe, says his country is willing to deepen military ties with the Pacific.
Photo: AFP
Speaking on Monday at a defence forum in China, Mr Wei said there could be future cooperation in anti-terrorism, peacekeeping and disaster relief.
The state-run Xinhua news agency reported him saying military cooperation could be conducted under China's global infrastructure drive, the Belt and Road initiative.
A top US State Department official visiting Australia has accused China of destabilising the Pacific by trying to pick off Taiwan's allies in the region.
High-tech Chinese ships are mapping waters close to Papua New Guinea as the United States and Australia begin upgrading a naval base on Manus Island.
Taiwan's Pacific allies have rallied behind its bid to join the World Health Organisation, or WHO.
The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, says Taiwan remains an important partner although his government is reviewing its global posture.
An academic says despite a recent Pacific trip by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, the country faces a "diplomatic time bomb" in the region. Audio
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