China in the Pacific Islands: Beyond the ‘Bad Dragon’ Narrative
143and other non-lethal equipment, and–more recently–training in China.^121
“This pales in comparison to the A$53 million Australia spends on
defence cooperation with Pacific Islands and the A$130 million spent on
operations securing the neighbourhood.”^122 Also, while the “China threat”
ghost has been evoked with regards to Beijing’s ties with the military
government in Fiji, the nature of the military support it has provided to
Suva is analogous to that given to Papua New Guinea and Tonga: of little
or no strategic significance.^123 Even claims that the PRC intends to
establish a strategic beachhead in Fiji on the grounds that Suva is a
perennial base for China’s space and satellite tracking ships known as the
Yuan Wang (English: Long View) class are, frankly, preposterous.^124
As a matter of fact, China’s military ties and interests in the region are
negligible if compared to those of the “Western guardians.” Australia
maintains its role as key security partner for many Pacific Island states and
remains committed as the security provider for the South Pacific, which
features as one of four key strategic interests in Canberra’s 2013 Defence
White Paper. This document also states that Australia is determined to
implement the Pacific Maritime Security Program (replacing the Pacific
Patrol Boat Program) to assist Pacific Island countries in managing their
Exclusive Economic Zones.^125 The Australian Defence Force is responsible
for a A$21 million Defence Cooperation Program with Papua New
Guinea, coordinating training, exercises, technical advice, and infrastructure
upgrades.^126 In addition, the A$31 million Australian Defence Cooperation
Program delivers assistance to defence and police forces in the Pacific
Islands (except Fiji) through advisorship, capability and infrastructure
building, and support for participation in joint-exercises.^127
The United States’ principal interests are situated in the northern
Pacific. “The state of Hawaii is headquarters to the United States military
presence in the region known collectively as the U.S. Pacific Command.
(^121) See for example: People’s Daily, “China, Tonga seek to further boost military
cooperation”; PacNews, “China, Papua New Guinea vow to expand military
cooperation”; Hanson, “Chinese navy in Vanuatu”; and Republic Of Fiji Military
Forces, “Wo2 Korovou Graduate.”
(^122) Hayward Jones, “Dreaming of China in the Pacific Islands.”
(^123) Islands Business, “Fiji military- China strengthen relations.”
(^124) Davis, “Fiji’s Role in Space.”
(^125) ABC Radio Australia, “Australian defence policy in Pacific focuses on
maritime security.”
(^126) Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea, “PNG-Australia Defence
Cooperation Program.”
(^127) Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability, “Defence Cooperation
Program - South Pacific.”