“Perceptions of Indigenous Security Practitioners on China’s Geostrategic Activities in the Pacific” is a new research paper authored by Dr. Deon Canyon for Security Nexus.

Excerpt:
“Increasing regional activity by China and the increased United States focus on Oceania are already affecting regional stability, which is affecting nations that have a security relationship with traditional partners and an economic relationship with non-traditional partners, such as China.1 Pacific Island nations understandably view geopolitical strategic competition for regional influence and resources as an opportunity to play competitors against each other and are taking advantage of increased access to aid, concessional loans, defense and security cooperation, business opportunities and international influence.

“Perspectives on China were informally solicited from security experts throughout the Pacific Islands and their views make up the bulk of this paper. All sources preferred not to be identified and many contacts preferred not to comment on this sensitive issue. As such, the text in this paper does not represent official government positions or policies in any manner, but they do represent the opinions of experienced security practitioners with considerable insight into national behaviors and decisions. The comments are organized in terms of pro and anti-China, however there are some that are neutral, which is a political stance advocated by some regional scholars and adopted by many Pacific Island nations.“

Security Nexus is a peer-reviewed, online journal published by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.

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