Author: Philippa Brant

Australia has traditionally seen the South Pacific as ‘its’ backyard. China’s increasing engagement in the South Pacific has prompted some concern in political and policymaking circles. The less than transparent nature of China’s foreign policy decisions – its foreign aid programs in particular, have resulted in the tendency to jump to negative conclusions about the ‘threat’ China’s involvement may pose to Australian (and Western) interests in the region. This analysis tends to ignore the role of Pacific Island countries themselves in determining their partners, and the implications of Australia’s own approach to regional power dynamics.

The Australian and New Zealand hardline stance with the Fijian Interim Government has created opportunities for China and other Asian countries to increase their engagement in the region. Read more…