Enter the dragon: Australia, China, and the new Pacific development agenda

Abstract

Enter the Dragon critiques the proposed Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), arguing that the rationale for the scheme is based on faulty premises; that the proposed architecture is inadequate; and that the process in bringing legislation to make the scheme a reality has been rushed. It also looks at Chinese presence in the Pacific to demonstrate how Australian fears of creeping Chinese influence tend to be exaggerated. The report recommends that no further steps be taken to progress the AIFFP until after the upcoming Federal election, until a more complete and public assessment of infrastructure needs in the Pacific is done, and until a more complete and thorough investigation of the appropriate mechanisms for an infrastructure financing program can be explored.

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