A Personal Journey into the Heart of the Pacific: Understanding China's Role in a Changing Region

The Pacific Islands have long held a special place in my heart. My journey into researching China-Pacific relations began over a decade ago—not from behind a desk, but in the field, working directly with people across the Pacific. That experience, rich in culture, dialogue, and shared aspirations, inspired my academic path and continues to shape the questions I seek to answer today.

Since joining the Australian National University in 2013—first as a PhD student and now as a Senior Research Fellow—I have focused on a pressing global issue that often escapes the headlines: China’s rising presence in the Pacific. Much of the discussion in the media is framed by fear or rivalry, but my aim is to provide something deeper and more enduring—evidence-based understanding, informed by local voices and grounded in rigorous research.

The Pacific Islands may appear small on the map, but they are at the heart of significant geopolitical shifts. Over the past 20 years, China has rapidly expanded its activities in the region, from infrastructure and trade to aid and diplomacy. This has prompted traditional powers like Australia and the United States to re-engage with renewed urgency. Yet despite this growing interest, there remains a surprising lack of detailed, nuanced knowledge about China’s intentions, strategies, and—most importantly—how Pacific islanders themselves perceive this engagement. This is the gap my research aims to fill.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been engaging directly with communities, students, scholars, and NGOs across countries like Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga. Through fieldwork and surveys, I’ve sought to amplify their perspectives—often absent from policy debates. Take, for example, the findings from a 2022 study that earned the Boyer Prize for best article in the Australian Journal of International Affairs. The study revealed a complex picture: while 93% of surveyed Pacific scholars supported closer ties with China, significant concerns remained. In Papua New Guinea, 84% of university students expressed security worries about a rising China; in Fiji, it was 91%. These figures remind us that the Pacific is not a passive stage for great power competition—it is home to diverse, thoughtful populations with their own views and priorities.

Another strand of my work has focused on understanding China’s intentions from the inside. What do Chinese scholars and policymakers think about their country’s role in the Pacific? In a 2023 article published in International Relations of the Asia-Pacific—recognized by Oxford University Press as “High Impact Research”—I explored these internal perspectives. Many Chinese scholars cited diplomatic strategy, economic interests, and the Belt and Road Initiative as key drivers of engagement. Interestingly, most rated China’s Pacific diplomacy as merely average, suggesting a level of introspection and realism not often seen in international commentary.

This kind of cross-perspective research helps move the conversation beyond caricatures. It invites a more balanced view—one where China is not seen simply as a threat or saviour, but as a complex actor navigating its role in a diverse region.

My book A Cautious New Approach, published by ANU Press, was the first in-depth analysis of China’s trilateral aid cooperation—a topic that until recently was barely on the radar of international aid discussions. The book has been read in over 100 countries, reflecting a global hunger for understanding how China is adapting and learning in the international development space. It’s clear that China’s aid and diplomacy are evolving, driven in part by a desire to project itself as a responsible global power. But it is also clear that Pacific Island countries are not merely recipients of aid; they are active players, making strategic choices to safeguard their sovereignty and futures.

Today, I continue to work on projects that examine not only China’s influence in the Pacific but also the broader competition unfolding in Southeast Asia. What is at stake is not just regional security, but also the agency of smaller nations in shaping their own destinies. Ultimately, my work is about connection—connecting global powers with local voices, connecting policy with lived experience, and connecting the past with an uncertain but hopeful future. The Pacific deserves more than surface-level narratives. It deserves our attention, respect, and above all, understanding.

To the broader public, policymakers, students, and fellow researchers: I invite you to engage with this work, to question assumptions, and to seek deeper knowledge about our region. The Pacific is not on the periphery of global affairs—it is central to the evolving dynamics of the 21st century. And for me, it remains personal. The friendships formed, the stories shared, and the lessons learned from Pacific Islanders continue to inspire my research and remind me why this work matters. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Denghua Zhang is a senior research fellow at ANU DPA. He completed his PhD program on Chinese foreign aid and trilateral aid cooperation at ANU.