Pacific leaders back Australia-funded regional policing plan
NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga -- Pacific Islands Forum leaders on Wednesday endorsed an Australia-funded regional policing plan seen by analysts as a move to limit China's influence over Pacific security.
The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), worth 400 million Australian dollars ($271 million), will establish four police training "centers of excellence" in the region and a multicountry "Pacific police support group" to be deployed to manage major events or at times of crisis.