Taiwan is pushing back on the idea that the Pacific Islands Forum is falling apart, arguing the real problem is China's growing pressure on small island states — bad news for Pacific countries trying to speak with one voice.

• Several member leaders skipped the latest Pacific Islands Forum summit, which outsiders read as a crack in Pacific unity.
• Taiwan says that reading is too simple, since some countries have sent ministers instead of leaders before.
• The bigger issue is China pulling geopolitical competition into the region and disrupting the islands' own agenda.
• After China test-fired an intercontinental missile into the Pacific in July, Palau's president said leaders want advance warning and transparency — but Nauru objected, blocking a united stance.
• Taiwan, which joins the forum as a development partner, says it does not ask Pacific countries to choose between Taipei and Beijing.

Outlook: Expect the fight over Pacific unity to play out less in summit attendance and more in whether island states can still agree on security issues without Beijing's influence splitting them.