The dragon versus the kangaroo: perceptions of Chinese and Australian influence and development assistance in Vanuatu

ABSTRACT

China’s engagement within the South Pacific has increased dramatically in recent years mainly through significant increases in development assistance. Development assistance is provided to address humanitarian needs but to also secure national interests of the donor. This paper examines the extent and nature of Australia’s and China’s influence in Vanuatu from the perspectives of the Ni-Vanuatu people using new data. China is perceived as having the most influence in the country despite Australia’s development assistance being viewed far more positively. Support for infrastructure is the most important factor contributing to a positive image for both countries. Perceptions of land grabbing are the main factor contributing to negative images. Regional differences in perceptions of Australia and China across Vanuatu also exist.

中国近年来对南太平洋事务的参与急剧增加，主要是通过发展援助。发展援助旨在解决人道主义需求，同时也确保捐助国的国家利益。本文采用新资料从美拉尼西亚-瓦努阿图人的角度探讨了澳大利亚和中国在瓦努阿图的影响。中国被认为在该国有着最大的影响，尽管澳大利亚的发展援助被认为要正面得多。对基础设施的支持被认为有助于这两个国家的正面形象。攫取土地则被视为负面的因素。瓦努阿图对澳大利亚和中国的观感也存在地区差异。

KEYWORDS:

• Soft power
• Australia
• China
• Vanuatu
• development assistance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Alfred Deakin Professor Matthew Clarke is the Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Deakin University.

Professor Sim Feeny is Professor of Development Economics in the School of Economic, Finance and Marketing at RMIT University.

Notes

1. Some of the questions, with permission, come directly from Afrobarometer (2016).