SUVA, Fiji, Aug 14, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - New Zealand's foreign minister said Thursday that foreign influence was threatening to split an upcoming annual summit of South Pacific leaders.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters sounded the warning as the region's top diplomats gathered in Fiji to hash out key agenda items for the Pacific Islands Forum in September.

Host Solomon Islands has effectively barred China, the United States and Taiwan from the summit, an event they usually attend.

China counts the Solomon Islands among its closest partners in the Pacific and has been accused of agitating behind the scenes to see Taiwan excluded.

Peters said "outsiders" were interfering with forum decisions.

"The last (split) we had was of our own making. It was an internal squabble as to who got the chairmanship," Peters said.

"Now we've got outsiders causing the split, and that's worse.

"We've got to make sure that every outsider comes here with respect for those of us who are inside the organisation."

Peters did not mention China by name, but said he would be raising the issue of foreign influence during Thursday's meeting with other foreign ministers.

"We're here for a serious purpose. We're all around the world trying to get aid assistance for the Pacific, and out of left field comes a statement," he said.

"Yes, you might give us aid, but you can't come to our meeting as an observer. This is not very helpful."

Peters said he would not raise the issue directly with the Solomon Islands, but that it should be discussed as a collective.

"But here's the point. It's already happened, it's obvious," he said.

"Outsiders are now telling us who we can have as guests. That's not the Pacific way."

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said last week it should be welcomed to this year's meeting.

"Taiwan has adhered to the 'Pacific Way' spirit of diversity and inclusiveness shared by all PIF member countries in our participation in Pacific affairs," it said in a statement.

The forum will be held in Solomon Islands' capital Honiara from September 8 to 12.