From CNN News (link)
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was to open talks with eight South Pacific leaders in Fiji on Tuesday — a move one expert said was designed to cement China’s influence in the region and freeze out Taiwan.
During a one-day stopover in Fiji, which begins later Tuesday, Wen was due to meet with Pacific island leaders whose governments have diplomatic relations with China.
The decision to exclude countries which have relations with Taiwan is the latest round in what experts sometimes refer to as “dollar diplomacy” between Beijing and Taipei.
