A recent survey across the Pacific Islands has shown that China’s efforts in the region are winning widespread praise. The poll, involving 1,000 respondents from 10 Pacific Island countries, revealed that many appreciate China’s role in improving local infrastructure, boosting employment, and sharing technological advancements.
Most participants, a staggering 96.2%, view China as a successful country. They highlighted areas where China’s influence has been most felt: nearly all acknowledged improvements in infrastructure (96.4%), while significant numbers noted better public security (87.4%), more job opportunities (85%), enhanced public health services (82.9%), and increased incomes (81%).
China’s growing trade relations with the Pacific Islands have played a big part in this positive perception. Trade between China and these nations skyrocketed from $153 million in 1992 to a whopping $5.3 billion in 2021. A majority of respondents (93.6%) see China’s massive market as a golden opportunity for their own economies, and 92.2% believe their countries have benefited from economic exchanges with China.
Tech-savvy participants also showed enthusiasm for China’s technological innovations. Over 91% praised China’s advancements in science and technology. Many expressed particular interest in new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, AI products like DeepSeek, and solar technologies—products that could help address issues like climate change and disaster response in their home countries.
Cooperation between China and the Pacific Islands goes beyond economics and tech. There’s significant collaboration in agriculture, climate action, poverty reduction, and disaster preparedness. Over 93% of those surveyed believe China’s tech assistance has boosted agricultural production, and 80.4% feel that working with China on disaster reduction has improved their ability to handle natural calamities.
The strengthening ties are fostering optimism for the future. A vast majority (94.3%) believe that the relationship between China and the Pacific Islands is on the right track, while 93.7% think that this comprehensive partnership is enhancing regional prosperity and improving people’s lives.
The survey was a joint effort by CGTN and Renmin University of China, reaching respondents aged 18 and above from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati, Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Cook Islands, and Nauru.
