China's special envoy to the Pacific, ambassador Wang Xuefeng, sought to capitalise on the tensions between Australia and its neighbours, promising to be "a good friend, partner and brother of Pacific Island countries". Loading He told Pacific Islands Forum members that China attached great importance to the "special concerns and legitimate demands" of small island countries in combating climate change. US Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, visiting Tuvalu from Washington, said in response to the Chinese announcement that America had an "incredible" relationship with the Pacific that no other nation could compete with. In an apparent swipe at Beijing, Mr Bernhardt said: "We all seek the same thing - peace, freedom and prosperity. We believe the best ways to achieve that is through democracy and a commitment to the rule of law and by resolving disputes through peaceful means."

Western nations, including Australia, the US, Britain, France and New Zealand, have upped their efforts to re-engage with the region in the past two years, as growing Chinese influence sparks fears Beijing will expand it military presence. The Chinese climate pitch infuriated Canberra on Friday, coming after three days of tough discussions during which Mr Morrison talked up Australia's commitment to climate change and contrasted its emissions and reliance on coal with that of China. China's Special Envoy to the Pacific, ambassador Wang Xuefeng, pictured with Samoa's Tuilaepa Malielegaoi, sought to capitalise on the diplomatic tensions between Australia and its neighbours. Credit:AAP "It's so hypocritical from them. They are using just about more coal than the rest of us put together," a government source said of China. Just last year, China invested $US36 billion ($53 billion) in 102 gigawatts of coal-fired electricity generation in over 27 countries - more than one-quarter of the 399 gigawatts of coal-fired generation capacity under development outside of China.

Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: Australian officials told leaders if Australia closed down its entire electricity generation grid, China would replace these emissions within six days. But Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi sent a strong statement during the forum when he said he would not line up with Australia and the United States against China, declaring "their enemies are not our enemies". Solomon Islands is also considering switching its allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing in a sign the Chinese charm-fest in the region is gaining momentum. Pacific leaders, especially those from low-lying islands, are demanding stronger action on climate change in a bid to halt rising sea levels, which threaten their survival.

Mr Wang told leaders that China wanted to deal with climate change because of its domestic sustainable development needs, "but also by its sense of responsibility of forging a community with a shared future for mankind". "China will also step up its efforts in South-South co-operation and do its best to make a positive contribution to the sustainable and green development of Pacific Island countries and jointly rekindle confidence in global co-operation against climate change," he said. It's so hypocritical from them. They are using just about more coal than the rest of us put together. Australian government source Mr Bernhardt, who sent the personal greetings of US President Donald Trump, told leaders the US remained committed to climate change through billions of dollars in "resilience" projects and renewable energy and had achieved significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through reducing its reliance on coal. He said he was not in Tuvalu to "compare and contrast" his country with China, and the US, despite withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, would continue to reduce emissions by investment in new technology and innovation in the energy market.

The US affinity with the region was built on "a legacy of sacrifice and commitment to the region", he said. Loading "I think that is quite significant and we don't need to compete with anyone for that." Mr Morrison, who acknowledged the "very sensitive" and "genuine" concerns over rising sea levels, said Australia would continue to provide support across the Pacific. "We are the biggest investor in the Pacific's development and protection of any nation on the planet. We invest $1.4 billion in the region every year. That's the highest it's ever been," he said.