Help for Pacific islands to continue

China said on Tuesday it will continue developing friendly cooperation with Pacific island countries and make greater contributions to their economic and social development and peace.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remark after the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Monday that the United States will talk with Australia next week about countering China's "pernicious meddling" in small countries of the South Pacific.

The foreign and defense ministers from Australia and the United States will meet for the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations in California on Monday and Tuesday.