Fiji, Sept. 5 -- Solomon Islands' hosting of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)

Leaders' Meeting next week will be a defining moment for Pacific regionalism and a test of whether the Blue Pacific can withstand growing geopolitical rivalry, says Solomon Islands academic Dr Transform Aqorau.

Dr Aqorau, Vice Chancellor of Solomon Islands National University (SINU), said the summit in Honiara comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of Solomon Islands' foreign policy and its growing ties with China.

"The Solomon Islands is at the centre of Pacific diplomacy, and how we handle this Forum will reflect whether we are strengthening regional unity or becoming a wedge in it," Dr Aqorau said.

The Solomon Islands government has taken the unusual ...