The Melanesian nations, which have been courted by China and the US for security and economic ties in the strategic South Pacific, will instead send ministers to the 18-member bloc meeting opening in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, on Monday.

Source: https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-news-live-pm-in-beijing-to-meet-chinese-president-xi-jinping-interest-rates-tipped-to-rise-on-cup-day-20231106-p5ehrx.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

They are made up of many islands and are predominantly Melanesian, but they also have cultural groups from the other two Pacific Islander regions spread throughout them.

Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/luaikenasio/pacific-islander-places-to-visit