【By Wang Kaiwen, Observer News】According to a report released by the Lowy Institute in Australia on October 27, Australia remains the largest donor country in the Pacific Island region. With Western countries such as the United States cutting aid funding, Australia's "dominant position" in the region's development is expanding.

At the same time, the report points out that although China's aid to the Pacific Island region has decreased compared to ten years ago, its aid model is becoming increasingly mature.

This report, titled "Pacific Aid Map (2025)," tracks official development finance (ODF) in the region from 2008 to 2023. The report shows that ODF in the Pacific Island region fell by 16% in 2023, dropping to 3.6 billion US dollars, continuing the second consecutive year of decline.

Prediction of Official Development Finance for the Pacific Island Region - Lowy Institute

The report states that Australia accounts for 43% of the total ODF in the Pacific Island region, four times that of the second place, New Zealand.

Based on current budget documents, outlook statements, announcements, and estimates from other researchers, the report predicts that ODF in the Pacific Island region will increase by 11% in 2024 due to increased funding from the Asian Development Bank, but will decrease by 9% in 2025 due to reduced aid from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

The Guardian reported that the Trump administration cut funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development, which had a chain reaction in the Pacific Island region.

Although the report points out that the impact of the U.S. Agency for International Development's funding cuts on the Pacific Island countries is not as severe as people imagine, it also believes these actions have damaged America's reputation and reinforced the perception of inconsistency in American policy.

"The real cost of the U.S. reducing aid in the Pacific is not measured in money, but in the loss of trust," said Alexandre Dayant, the project leader of the "Pacific Aid Map."

"For Australia, the withdrawal of the U.S. not only brings many inconveniences, but also leaves Canberra increasingly isolated in countering China's influence," Dayant said.

On January 2, 2025, staff in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, were moving Chinese government-provided disaster relief supplies. Xinhua News Agency

Currently, Australia is increasing its investments in the Pacific Island region to fill the gap left by the United States.

Riley Duke, the first author of the report, said: "Australia's stable aid spending and rapid increase in infrastructure loans seem to buffer the impact of reduced funding from major donors in the Pacific region."

Duke believes that Australia's dominant position in the Pacific's development is expanding.

The report shows that by 2023, Australia's bilateral official development finance to the Pacific Island region exceeded half, and it is expected that this proportion may rise to around 60% by 2028. Duke estimates that by 2028, Australia's aid to the region will be more than twice the sum of Japan, New Zealand, the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

This report also highlights changes in China's aid trends in the Pacific Island region, pointing out that in 2023, China provided 230 million US dollars in official development finance to the region, a 9% decrease from 2022, ranking after Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States. However, China focuses its aid on certain Pacific Island countries, making it the second-largest bilateral donor after Australia.

According to reports, China's aid to the Pacific Island countries has shifted from infrastructure projects primarily funded by loans to grant aid and small community projects.

"China's aid model is becoming increasingly mature," the report stated.

Duke pointed out: "Although China's aid expenditure is less than ten years ago, its aid has a deeper impact on the communities in the Pacific region. Projects are smaller, but more frequent and region-specific."

In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Duke said that China's aid strategy towards the Pacific Island countries has shifted to a much more flexible model in just a few years, demonstrating 'remarkable adaptability'."

This article is an exclusive article by Observer News. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7565807987034473011/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking on the [up/down] buttons below.