China’s strategic goals in the Pacific are emerging and Australia must be concerned, or alarmed!

If we want to secure the stability of our region – and our own national strategic influence – then we are going to have to provide real leadership and back it with greater and much better targeted funding.

In all the countries I have referred to as being part of China's strategic plan there is one common factor – the overwhelming dominance of the Christian Churches. Surely, our recent modest provision of funding for church health services in PNG needs to be replicated across the region?

The Covid-19 epidemic has not slowed China's efforts at expanding its influence in our region. If anything while we have been focusing on helping our region meet the enormous challenges the epidemic presents China has been stepping up highly dubious infrastructure and communications projects all funded by loans from the Exim Bank and other PRC financial institutions.

But there is clearly a wider strategic aspect to China's expansionary plans. It simply involves putting China in the best possible position to control, or have the potential to control, key ports and airports in the event of confrontation or worse with Australia, the United States and our allies.

Time to slow progress on this alarming strategy is running out. That is why events in Samoa this week need to be watched closely, and if the elected government does take office Australia and New Zealand need to be prepared to give it substantial assistance to respond to the inevitable retribution that will come from China.

And as I have repeatedly urged we need to address the Daru and Western Province challenges. If we don't do so then the China port and fisheries industry proposal, however unviable it undoubtedly is then it will happen. And that will be to our significant strategic detriment.

The four examples of China's strategic plan I have outlined just cannot be dismissed. To it needs to be added China's rapid expansion of its communications presence in PNG and some island nations as well as debt laden projects in power supply and road construction.

If Australia does not provide strong leadership no one else will.

Time is really running out for us to do so.