What is China's Pacific plan?

: Is China building a military base in the Western Pacific? Australia and New Zealand are worried about reports of Chinese military expansion in Vanuatu. Does the west have reason to be concerned?

Joining us at the Roundtable is Malcolm Jorgensen, who served in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - advising on China's Pacific militarisation; Yan Bennett, Manager of the Center on Contemporary China at Princeton University; Yu Jie, Head of China Foresight at LSE Ideas - part of the London School of Economics; and Kerry Brown - Director of the Lau China institute at King's College London.

Roundtable is a discussion programme with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's about bringing people to the table, listening to every opinion, and analysing every point of view. From fierce debate to reflective thinking, Roundtable discussions offer a different perspective on the issues that matter to you. Watch it every weekday at 15:30 GMT on TRT World.

[vickifischer-rasmussen]

Australia may be geographically Asian but culturally it derives from Europe. As a fourth generation Australian I do not want China to have any influence in my political or cultural environment.

[elenastone]

& New Zealand should buy and paid off the Vanautu loan then start investing in the South Pacific area to stop China's getting a foot hold. Easy said than done.

[waltermanuofetoa]

Its very ironic that the people that actually live in there Pacific Islands (Tongans, Vanuatu, Samoa, etc.) are not included in this conversation. Just pointing that out.

[jovenreyes]

The Philippines is along the way of China's Pacific expansion. They have already named underwater features in the Philippine Rise ( formerly Benham rise). Soon they will be claiming the Philippines as well.

[ernestiatipu]

Why would the US have concern on china setting up military base in the pacific region when he has already done that in Australia and Guam...China did not oppose that so why is he opposing now.

[robertbrown]

Build an island in the middle of an international traffic route, and then require those traversing this route to seek permission, is simply overstepping one’s authority. What’s next, toll buoys? I’m all for China expanding their military presence, but not at the expense of freedom of navigation. It would be very unfortunate if a sudden tsunami were to wash away all their efforts

[KayyHong]

Why is Australia and New Zealand NOT concerned about U.S. Military bases overseas?? The U.S. has a history of regime change, bombing and invading other countries. Hypocrisy at its worst!

[kongking]

Will we have a discussion like this if it were USA, UK, Canada, or Australia? China is doing exactly as anybody else doing.

[robertgreen]

China has been and still is the largest exporter, currently, the second-largest economy, and also the most significant energy importer in the world. China must build its in-land and marine outposts to protect its export-import routes between continents. Silk Road, One Road - One Belt Policy is evident for its interest protection.

[hasanmahmood]

We are worried about American military bases all over the world. 800 of them. That is what Australia and New Zealand should be worried about. Well, America is a white Anglo Saxon country, so is Australia and New Zealand, so there is nothing to worry about USA but China is from another culture and race, that is where the worry comes from. This is the normal thought pattern of western countries.

[michaelboylan]

The commentator says, , , America used Vanuatu to launch miIItary attacks against Japan in WW2, No it didnt, Vanuatu is 1000 miles beyond the furthest limit of US bombers, , Not until the US captured Siapan could they attack Japan

[cletuswonder]

China, such a beautiful culture. I deeply desire to visit and experience more. As a 35 year old idahoan Caucasian male I fear my country's government's past actions have created a hollow silence of confusion in both countries and I would ask forgiveness for our (the world's) youth. Embrace each other's successes and failure's.

If only we all could be astronauts and take look back at... OUR HOME.

To plant a tree knowing you will not rest in it's shade...
...an action only one observed, a truth.

I love you and though mistakes will be made, some will mislead but together we can get there.

[stephencyang]

Westerners' fear is unnecessary, if they understand China's peaceful rise. By force, money or culture, China will re-emerge and become the dominant society where they choose; just as the British empire and American did through military means in the past centuries. A review of world history will reveal what's possible.

[xeji]

China's plan is to secure it's economic interest via naval expansion. Keep in mind that it is not looking to imperialize.

The US is trying to keep emerging powers like China at bay. The US is a declining superpower that is not capable of keeping top statue in the long term by countries like China who don't suffer slow economic rebound and financial instability.

China is ensuring that it has top spot on the Asian Pacific, and (militarily) be able to project power far beyond the Second island chain(Guam) in the unfortunate case of war.

China is simply trying to protect it's economic interest overseas with Africa, the EU, and Southern Asian trade routes.

It's hypocritical for the US to make threats at China for protecting interest, when the US does the exact same thing to protect it's own.

[dcklee]

Is the US/UK... building a military base in the Western Pacific? No, they already built them in Japan, Philippines, Guam and Cuba. Also in Iraq and areas of the Middle East. Did I miss anymore?

[guichingdinpalmei]

What to do when you cannot sell your products? Send all the armies? Forced them to buy? Lured them to buy? What is this? Business is military?

[Aramsa-Khan]

What is China's pacific plan. Ans: To keep the American babarians out of the South China Sea and not to interfere with it's internal affair such as the Taiwan issue.

[William_sJazzLoft]

The presenter poses the question, is the Pacific an opportunity for China to boost its military reach? That's an unqualified, yes!

[thomassterling]

The US bases help to defend the host countries. That Chinese representative said it part way "The Chinese port will allow China military to rescue CHINESE, not people of the host nation that China blackmailed into letting China build a Chinese port. The US has hospital ships and on occasion have used their carriers as safehavens during natural disasters around the world. If the US didn't step in during WWII, you would be speaking German or Japanese.

[victoews]

America go home and give peace a chance.