Australia revamps Pacific island foreign aid to focus on climate

SYNDEY -- The Australian government on Tuesday unveiled a new international development aid policy focusing on climate change as Canberra seeks to counter China's rising influence among Pacific island nations by prioritizing the region's top concern.

The policy, revised for the first time in roughly a decade, will establish a fund of up to 250 million Australian dollars ($163 billion) to encourage private-sector investment in Pacific island and Southeast Asian nations.