Rivers to the Ocean: China's Emerging Roles in the South Pacific

The New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre is presenting a Public Symposium, Rivers to the Ocean: China's Emerging Roles in the South Pacific to be held on Wednesday 3 August, 9.30 am - 1.30 pm in the Hunter Council Chamber, Victoria University of Wellington - All welcome.  The speakers are:

• Dr Anne-Marie Brady, Canterbury University
• Dr Marc Lanteigne, Victoria University
• Dr Steven Ratuva, University of Auckland
• Dr Jian Yang, University of Auckland

During the past decade, China has embarked on a series of cross-regional diplomatic initiatives designed to enhance its strategic presence further afield of Asia. One region which has not received as much scrutiny as others is the South Pacific, especially Polynesia and Melanesia, where Beijing has embarked on a series of initiatives, including economic, assistance, infrastructure projects, and diplomatic cooperation.

Until recently, much of China's behaviour in the South Pacific could be traced to the diplomatic competition between Beijing and Taipei for recognition, but with a de facto truce in place since 2008, China's presence in the region appears to be growing more rapidly. This symposium will examine questions regarding China's evolving regional strategies as well as the possible responses from the South Pacific and traditional powers in the region, namely the United States, Australia and New Zealand.