Pale Sofia

Will China replace Australia in the South Pacific?

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2010, №14, 62-70

 
Annotation: Dr. Sophia Pale in her paper on the current rivalry between China and Australia over economic and political influence in the South Pacific focuses on China's recent successful penetration into Oceania, thus sensibly shaking the position of Australia in the islands states. The author outlines the main steps taken by China to promote its influence in the South Pacific and analyses the reaction of Australia to the growing presence of China in the region that has originally been considered by Australia as its own security area. Chinese migration to the islands is also a tough issue for Australia which has lost its overwhelming power over Oceania due to the global economic downturn. And finally, the author gives her view on the future opportunities for China to establish more of its 'soft power' in Oceania.

Keywords: SOUTH PACIFIC, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE, CHINA, AUSTRALIA