Dragon in paradise: China's rising star in Oceania

National Interest, The, Summer, 2003 by John Henderson, Benjamin Reilly

These immigrant Chinese populations have never challenged the political dominance of indigenous peoples, as the Indian population did in Fiji, but Chinese commercial success has often been a source of resentment. In Fiji recently, the trade union movement condemned the hiring of 900 Chinese garment workers, with union leaders complaining that the influx of Chinese immigrants had depressed wages, work conditions and employment opportunities. In 1998, a leading figure in the Tongan pro-democracy movement, Akilisi Pohiva, claimed that Chinese immigrants were costing Tongans work opportunities and causing "economic, political, social and moral problems." In late 2000, several hundred Chinese shopkeepers and their families were ordered out of Tonga "for their own protection."

Such tensions between Chinese and indigenous population groups are unlikely to dissipate, especially as more Chinese nationals venture into the Central Pacific with unclear or dubious immigration status. Ethnic Chinese, particularly from Taiwan, have been the main purchasers of passports sold by a number of island states, including Nauru, Tonga, Samoa, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati. In most cases the "passports" do not allow permanent settlement; the island states are being used instead as stepping stones for access to the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In extreme cases, some Chinese have resorted to the more desperate status of "boat people." With the United States as their preferred destination, many have been apprehended near U.S. Pacific territories. In July 1999 alone, 800 (mainly Chinese) illegal immigrants were arrested on boats around Guam. Others have ventured farther south, mainly to Papua New Guinea but some as far as New Caledonia. Some locals believe that the Chinese govern ment has encouraged emigration to the Pacific islands as a means of increasing their influence in the region, but this is unlikely. Nevertheless, China can be a vocal advocate of the rights of ethnic Chinese in the Pacific, particularly when they are under threat-such as in 1998's bloody anti-Chinese riots in Indonesia.

The establishment of international shelf banks heavily engaged in money laundering, shipping flags of convenience and passports sales has brought these islands into contact with a range of shady organizations, including terrorist groups. Earlier this year, three vessels flying the Tongan flag were caught in the Mediterranean moving weapons, explosives and men for Al-Qaeda. In April 2003, U.S. authorities reported that six alleged terrorists, including two alleged AI-Qaeda operatives, had been arrested in Southeast Asia carrying Nauruan passports. Under U.S. pressure, Nauru has agreed to end its passport sales and shelf banks in return for U.S. assistance. The money, it was claimed by Nauru, was to be used in opening a new Nauruan embassy in, you guessed it, Beijing.

Despite these problems, long-established Chinese settlers are held in high regard in a number of Pacific island states. Chinese heritage is increasingly a source of pride, and growing numbers of Pacific Chinese are developing political networks and entering politics. The most prominent of these is Sir Julius Chan, who served several terms as Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. The son of a Chinese trader, Chan is a successful businessman and a strong supporter of Beijing. In Fiji, another part-Chinese businessman, James Ah Koy, was a leading figure in politics--but lost his place in parliament in the August 2001 election after allegations that he was linked with George Speight, the front man for the May 2000 coup. The Solomon Islands and Samoan parliaments also contain prominent ethnic Chinese members. In Kiribati, an ethnic Chinese, Harry Tong, ran a credible contest for the presidency, and may well be president one day. His brother also serves in parliament.