China and the Pacific

Solomons and Kiribati snub Taiwan for China – does it matter?
Solomons and Kiribati snub Taiwan for China – does it matter?
After a public, protracted, and somewhat torturous process, the government of Solomon Islands last week decided to sever ties with Taiwan in favour of the People’s Republic of…
A rising China and the future of the “Blue Pacific”
A rising China and the future of the “Blue Pacific”
The focus of the Pacific Islands Forum and its Secretariat is securing the future prosperity and wellbeing of the “Blue Pacific”. The Forum seeks genuine partnerships with all…
China's first overseas military base in Djibouti likely to be a taste of things to come
On 26 November, China confirmed it was in talks with Djibouti to construct its first overseas military base. This represents a major symbolic and practical step in China's…
Chinese worldviews and China’s foreign policy
Analyses
Chinese worldviews and China’s foreign policy
Four key narratives help explain the way that China acts in and interprets the world, providing a more nuanced guide to China’s aims and ambitions and helping to shape more…
Australia and the US: great allies but different agendas in the South China Sea
Several posts on The Interpreter have argued recently that Australia should join the US in conducting freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea. This is not…
Innocent passage: Did the US just fumble its South China Sea strategy?
The difference between freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) and warships transiting under 'innocent passage' sounds arcane and legalistic. But this wonkish distinction…
Why Australia must send its navy to assert the freedom to operate in the South China Sea
After much internal debate and soul searching, the US has conducted its first 'Freedom of Navigation' operation in the South China Sea for several years. It will not be the last…
US launches FoNOPS in the South China Sea: Better late than never?
So, the much-heralded US freedom of navigation (FoN) operation in the South China Sea has finally seen daylight. The designated lead, the USS Lassen, is a guided missile…
South China Sea dispute: US challenge may fall into China trap
Commentary
South China Sea dispute: US challenge may fall into China trap
South China Sea dispute: US challenge may fall into China trapEuan GrahamThe Australian Financial Review19 October 2015Euan Graham
The perception gap: reading China's maritime objectives in Indo-Pacific Asia
Reports
The perception gap: reading China's maritime objectives in Indo-Pacific Asia
In this Lowy Institute Report Nonresident Fellows Linda Jakobson and Rory Medcalf identify both the real differences in interests between China and other powers in the Indo…