Seminar Series: Abstract

China in the Pacific: playing the short game
Fergus Hanson

China is often portrayed as pursuing a well thought out long-term strategy to expand its influence globally. But in the Pacific China lacks a coherent strategy for its aid program – beyond checking and reversing diplomatic recognition of Taiwan – and tends to pursue short-term objectives. This opportunistic approach tends to undermine Pacific development objectives as well as China’s own medium and long-term interests in the region. With the growing solidification of the diplomatic truce between Taiwan and China the opportunity exists to re-focus its approach to the region.