Stuart Harris, ‘Economic Aspects of Pacific Security’, IR Working Paper 1992/6, Canberra: Department of International Relations, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian Nati
During his 11-14 June 2019 visit to Suva Professor Brian Schmidt, Australian National University Vice Chancellor launched Understanding Oceania, a book edited by DPA’s Stewart Firth and the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Vijay Naidu.
China’s assertive presence in Oceania has provided alternative opportunities for Pacific Island governments, is welcomed with cautious optimism by observers, and has raised concerns, especially for the metropolitan powers that have long dominated the region.
Pacific Island governments now engage with China through diplomatic partnerships, trade, aid, investments, infrastructure developments, and commerce. Beijing has posed itself as an alternative power, which is changing the regional order.
