Introduction

This week we look at china's growing strategic competition in the south pacific. The power and influence of the united states has largely been uncontested for decades. But more recently, chinaas sought to play a bigger role in the region. What does bejing hope to accomplish by developing closer ties with island nations? And how do these developments fit into china's broader strategy? To what extent is china succeeding in increasing its influence in the region? And does that oppose a threat to the us or the interests of its partners and allies? And finally, how should the us. And others respond?