Courting The South Pacific

April 2007 | Risk Summary

Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan completed a brief tour of the South Pacific in early April, as China battles with cross-strait rival Taiwan to gain the initiative in diplomatic recognition, as well as to secure access to the vast reserves of fish, minerals and timber in the region. There are concerns that the fierce rivalry between Beijing and Taipei is having an unsettling effect in the South Pacific, as rumours of bribery have raised fears that the region is becoming more corrupt and violent. However, although allegiances in the region can change quickly, China's growing economic power makes it increasingly unlikely that

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