Kreetika Kumar 
China Research Fellow Carine Pina
China’s rising influence in Pacific Island nations has drawn criticism, notably from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
On the other hand, Researcher at IRSEM Carine Pina, from the Institute for Strategic Research in France, supports China’s role, emphasizing its aid to vulnerable states and contributions to combating non-traditional security challenges.
It is noted that China holds significant influence within the Pacific Islands Forum, playing a substantial role in regional affairs.
Carine Pina believes China’s increasing influence in the Pacific has prompted other countries to seek expanded engagement in the region.
“This is also a question to you. But what I mean is that since a long time this state was abandoned, they have been alone for a long time, and recently, because of China, you have much more activity. All the others are running there. And so they are now offering all the states.”
According to Carine, the International Monetary Fund acknowledges that many states wouldn’t have as much infrastructure without China’s contributions.
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