At the annual Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit, held this year in Palau, the United States and Australia announced plans to expand U.S. force posture in Australia across multiple military domains, Reuters reported on Sept. 3. Palau also urged the 18-member bloc to condemn China's July ballistic missile test in the region, prompting Beijing to accuse Palau of manipulating other members' positions with "hype," Reuters reported separately on Sept. 3.