Over the past decade, China has been increasing its influence and presence across the Pacific. The Pacific Islands are strategically significant in terms of their location for international trade, security bases, and resource distribution. Thus, the Pacific is naturally an area which major powers, such as the US, China and Australia, would seek closer ties with. However, it is China’s interest in particular that has attracted global attention, as specific policies enacted by Beijing have sparked the fears of many world leaders. As China expands its influence, it presents a geopolitical challenge to the dominant position previously held by the USA, naturally creating concerns about America’s status as the global superpower. Notably, the US election has been largely dominated by discussions regarding both Trump’s and Biden’s approach to China. Xi Jinping has used three main avenues to extend the CCP’s sphere of influence: economic investment, military presence, and diplomatic engagement. Understanding how China is extending its influence in this region is crucial to assessing what potential threat these actions pose for future global relations.
Economic investment
China has poured money into the Pacific region in the past 10 years, funding a number of infrastructure projects through loans, grants and investments. China has funded several projects in the Solomon Islands, such as a national sports stadium, a hospital and over 160 mobile towers. It has also built police headquarters and Chinese cultural institutions in several nations, including Fiji. As China invests financially in these countries, it grows closer ties with that nation. Economic investments are also the driving factor of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which many Pacific Island countries have now signed. In 2018, China and Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding over the exact details of Belt and Road cooperation and what development and exchanges would take place. Pacific Island Nations benefit greatly from these Chinese investments, however at what cost does this accelerated development come? Often, these countries have no realistic chance of repaying these loans, giving China soft power over the countries’ leaders. For example, Chinese state-owned companies have constructed deepwater ports in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. As these nations become increasingly indebted and reliant on China, their ability to maintain political sovereignty and autonomy is reduced, allowing them to turn these ports into Chinese navy bases.
Military Presence
China is also making bold moves to propel its policing powers overseas in the Pacific. Several key agreements signed with Fiji and the Solomon Islands have generated a vast amount of criticism from Australia, the US and the EU. In Fiji a deal signed in 2011, enabled Fijian officers to be trained in China, and Chinese police to operate in the Fijian force. This represented a huge power move by Beijing, as they could deploy their own forces, and implement Chinese surveillance technology in Fiji. In 2022, the Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reviewed this agreement, fearing that China’s training schemes and priorities did not align with Fiji’s democratic values. Whilst the deal remains in place, Chinese police are no longer allowed inside the Fijian force. A similar security deal was signed between China and the Solomon Islands in 2022 that confirmed police cooperation with Chinese officers. This deal confirmed fears of China’s desire to expand its military presence in the region through a security base and system that enables China to deploy its powers in the Pacific. These officers not only expand the jurisdiction of China’s operation but also initiates a gradual assimilation of Chinese presence and ideology into the Pacific’s culture. Most recently, alarming video footage released only a few days ago revealed raids that Chinese police conducted in Fiji in 2017, arresting over 80 Chinese nationals in Fiji suspected of fraud. This controversial footage has reignited fears of China’s uncontrollable and rampant presence in Pacific Island nations such as Fiji.
What are the implications?
By gaining both diplomatic influence and control, the CCP’s pursuit of greater political influence is realised. China is specifically seeking support from Pacific Island Nations to strengthen its claim in Taiwan. Since 2019 China has gained the allegiance of most of the Pacific region, as the Solomon Islands, Kiribatu and Naura announced their support for China’s control over Taiwan. As the prospect of some sort of USA-China-based conflict becomes increasingly likely, China’s influence over the Pacific would offer a significant geographic advantage. Moreover, the CCP ideological aim of spreading a more left-wing authoritative Government becomes more likely as they can assert control of Governmental bodies within these countries as well as garner support amongst the Pacific citizens who are likely influenced by China’s visibility in the region. If China gains enough support, it can build a case on international platforms for its control over areas.
So, what now?
What implications does this situation hold, and what actions can be taken to address it? Naturally, like any sovereign nation, China has legitimate interests in trading and investing in the Pacific region. However, the sustained attention China directs towards Pacific nations warrants increased attention and consideration from neighbouring countries. While acknowledging China’s presence in the Pacific, it’s essential to emphasise the importance of maintaining a balanced regional landscape, where no single entity dominates or undermines the sovereignty of others.