Changing Geopolitics and International Relations in the Pacific

Over the last two decades, the People's Republic of China has become a major aid donor, trade partner, and source of investment in the Pacific Islands. This is one of the most significant developments in the region in recent times with implications for the diplomatic priorities of Pacific Islands states, the aspirations of ordinary Pacific Islanders and the influence of traditional powers and some other external players. In response, traditional powers like Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan, and some other powers like India and Indonesia have increased their engagement with the Pacific region. This course looks at the history of China, traditional powers and some other external players' engagement with the Pacific region, the nature of their interests in the region, as well as their competition for influence. This course will examine these external players’ changing role in the Pacific, with a focus on Pacific and their own perspectives. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of major external players’ motivations for engaging with the Pacific, with a particular focus on their state and non-state actors involved in aid, investment, migration, security and diplomacy in the Pacific. With the resurgence of interest in the Pacific region from both traditional and new players, this course explores the experience of Pacific island states in international relations and development. It examines the Pacific’s place in the world and how Australia, other traditional donors, and new donors might engage with the region.