China's growing involvement in the South Pacific -- The evolving regional order in the South Pacific -- China's security concerns and grand strategy -- The Taipei-Beijing diplomatic rivalry -- China in Fiji : displacing traditional players? -- Interactions with Australia and New Zealand : balancing interests -- China's world wide web : overseas Chinese in the South Pacific -- Pacific Islands in China's grand strategy -- Appendix 1: Official visits between PRC, Taiwan, and Pacific Island countries -- Appendix 2: Trade between Pacific Island countries and selected economies -- Appendix 3: Australian net ODA disbursements to the South Pacific -- Appendix 4: New Zealand's net ODA disbursements to the South Pacific
Summary
China's influence in the South Pacific is growing rapidly. What are the main driving forces behind China's policy toward the region? Should the West be concerned? Why are there so many myths, misperceptions, and unsubstantiated assertions about China's growing influence? Where does discussion of China's presence in the South Pacific fit in the broader debate on China? This book - the first single-authored book on Chinese policy toward the South Pacific - answers these questions. It examines Chinese engagement with the region in the context of China's grand strategy, drawing on extensive Chinese sources and interviews with policymakers and community leaders
