China suffers setback as Pacific nations spurn broad deal

China’s plan to sign a sweeping trade and security deal with ten Pacific Island countries was dealt a setback because some of them expressed concern about specific elements in the proposal, Australia’s ABC News reported.
Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said the Pacific island nations were united in their approach. “We put consensus first among our countries throughout any discussion on new regional agreements,” he was quoted as saying in a press conference Monday with Chinese…