China’s increasing political influence in the south Pacific has sparked an international response
Retrieved on:
Friday, February 9, 2024
His election marks the continuation of a government that promotes an independent Taiwan.
Key Points:
- His election marks the continuation of a government that promotes an independent Taiwan.
- Just two days later, the Pacific nation of Nauru severed ties with Taiwan and transferred its diplomatic allegiance to Beijing.
- These examples indicate China’s growing influence in the south Pacific, a region that the world’s major powers are competing for influence over.
Preventing recognition of Taiwan
- It is not an option for states to diplomatically recognise both China and Taiwan – China forces them to choose.
- For decades, the Chinese government has used a combination of carrots and sticks to pressure such states into transferring diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
- China has, for example, imposed significant political, diplomatic and economic sanctions on countries that continue to formally recognise Taiwan.
- But China also offers states – and their governing elites – economic and political incentives for withdrawing diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.
Competing for influence
- Their focus is on trying to limit the depth of Chinese political and economic influence over Pacific island states and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region.
- The US is concerned that growing Chinese political influence may ultimately result in it enjoying significant military presence in the region.
- However, increased tension between China and the west over the past decade has made it increasingly challenging to reign in Chinese influence.
US strategy in the south Pacific
- When president, Donald Trump launched a number of deals with Pacific islands including Nauru, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Palau and Micronesia.
- However, Trump’s strategy for a “free and open Indo-Pacific” had limited success.
- The initiative included a commitment of US$810 million in development aid across the Pacific island region.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.