The BRI in the Pacific Islands

The Pacific Islands remained outside the zone of strategic concern in the Asia-Pacific region for much of the Cold War. Divided into four informal 'spheres of influence' led by the United States, Australia, France and New Zealand, they remained afloat economically through donor aid, tourism and income from fishing, their most significant natural resource. This relative calm encouraged a drift in US and Australian attention, creating a vacuum that the People's Republic of China began to fill. In the early 2000s China began to expand its diplomatic efforts, seeing an opportunity to expand its strategic reach eastward. China's objectives in the region involve extending its security perimeter eastward to create a buffer between the United States and the Chinese mainland. They also include prevailing in the diplomatic contest with the Republic of China (Taiwan) - especially regarding its 'one China' policy, increasing its access to South Pacific natural resources, mainly fish, and selling infrastructure. In each area, China has made progress. China is the largest trading partner for many of the islands. China is now a significant aid provider, allocating almost US $6,000m. in grants and concessional loans linked to infrastructure and other Belt and Road activities. The US and other Western allies remain concerned that China's stepped-up lending could cause unsustainable debt levels that force the Pacific Island nations to comply with China's strategic interests. Some fear that China may eventually establish military bases to further its Pacific security objectives. China now demands that the Pacific Islands Forum formally adopt a one China policy, causing a rift. The Pacific Islands remained outside the zone of strategic concern in the Asia-Pacific region for much of the Cold War. Divided into four informal 'spheres of influence' led by the United States, Australia, France and New Zealand, they remained afloat economically through donor aid, tourism and income from fishing, their most significant natural resource. Belt and Road (BRI) programmes play out somewhat differently across the region, given the diverse environments. However, there are some common themes. The Papua New Guinea (PNG) economy centres on resource extraction, fishing and agriculture. Its principal exports include liquefied natural gas and gold. Politics in PNG is volatile, and social unrest is common. In 2018 PNG became the first Pacific Island nation to join China's BRI formally. Fiji joined