The Pacific Islands in China's Grand Strategy : Small States, Big Games

This book - the first single-authored book on Chinese policy toward the South Pacific - 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. 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. Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Introduction....Pages 1-3 China’s Growing Involvement in the South Pacific....Pages 5-18 The Evolving Regional Order in the South Pacific: The Rise and Fall of External Players....Pages 19-35 China’s Security Concerns and Grand Strategy....Pages 37-50 The Taipei-Beijing Diplomatic Rivalry....Pages 51-73 China in Fiji: Displacing Traditional Players?....Pages 75-88 Interactions with Australia and New Zealand: Balancing Interests....Pages 89-104 China’s World Wide Web: Overseas Chinese in the South Pacific....Pages 105-125 Pacific Islands in China’s Grand Strategy....Pages 127-141 Conclusion....Pages 143-145 Back Matter....Pages 147-237 This book looks at Chinese policy towards the South Pacific in the context of China's grand strategy. Analysts are divided on the implications of China's deepening involvement in the region and the study of Chinese involvement in the South Pacific is a part of the great debate on the rise of China.