ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on China's relations with Australia, New Zealand, and small South Pacific island nations as part of its global diplomacy. It examines China's motivations and strategies in the South Pacific and discusses their significance. China's involvement has generally promoted economic growth of countries in the Pacific, and Chinese aid can be good development opportunities for these countries. China and Australia and New Zealand are setting an example in bilateral relations for countries of different social and political systems and cultural backgrounds. China may face increasing pressure from the international community including Australia and New Zealand to intervene in places where human rights are grossly violated such as Sudan, Myanmar, and Zimbabwe. China's defense aspirations in the South Pacific are likely to remain limited. China does not appear to be setting itself up to challenge the status quo in global politics or to assume leadership role in the South Pacific.
