ICS Analysis

The People’s republic of China has become diplomatic partner and the second largest aid provider to many Pacific Island countries in the last two decades. It has won recognition of ten Pacific Islands taking away many allies from Taiwan. The rich natural resources, potential markets and geostrategic value that these islands offer, contribute to China’s increasing interests in the region. China’s involvement in the region comes through establishing embassies and language institutes, paying state visits, funding infrastructure projects and giving concessional loans. The state visits, Confucius institutes and infrastructure development are a way of Chinese engrossment in the South Pacific region.