The Study Of The Australia’s Relation With Pacific Island Countries(1962-2005)

Australia and Pacific island countries are all located in the region of the South Pacific.As the largest country in this region,Australia is always committed to making a difference in regional affairs.Whether when it plays as the agent of traditional colonial interests in this region,or it is in the process of decolonization when handling the relations between regional countries,Australia adheres to the strategic target of being a “middle power” all the time.It also regards the economic and social development of Pacific island countries and security and stability of the South Pacific as the kernel of its own national interests.At the same time,Australia treats the Pacific island countries as its own “backyard” by controlling them,which also causes the resistance from these island countries.After the The Second World War,Australia deeply realized the strategic position of these Pacific islands,and the risks that these islands would become a springboard for hostile forces to attack its homeland.Based on this,Australia began to focus on building the alliance between United States,Australia and New Zealand.It also expected to fill the power vacuum after the withdrawal of the traditional colonial forces such as Britain and Germany.In this process,Australia gradually got rid of its dependence on Britain in foreign and defense affairs and formed its own diplomatic concept.During sixties and seventies of the 20 th century,along with the trend of the global decolonization,Pacific islands became independent vigorously and expand their influences through the collective voice in the international arena.South Pacific Forum(now Pacific Islands Forum,PIF)was set up during this period under the support of Australia and New Zealand.This regional organization has become the most authoritative economic and political platform in promoting decolonization,maintaining regional security,regulating fishery management,opposing nuclear tests,advocating regional nuclear-free campaigns,fostering the collective concept of island countries and calling for attention to climate change.It also has become an important tool for Australia to participate in and manage regional affairs.Australia provided financial aid and diplomatic support for PIF and by doing these it gained its international and regional influence.In addition,the resistance between USSR and US started to affect this region,especially after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the USSR and Tonga in 1976,Australia tried hard to exclude the infiltration of all non-traditional and external forces into the regional affairs under the guidance of the policy of “strategic denial”.In the early 1990 s,the global order that emerged after the end of the Cold War has shifted dramatically.The United States reduced its strategic deployment in the Asia-Pacific region,then Australia actively sought to shoulder the regional responsibilities and acted as the “deputy sheriff” of the US in the region under the “constructive commitment”.Furthermore,Australia exploited the exclusive economic zones owned by the Pacific island countries through development assistance and trade investment,and develop its partnership with these island countries.However,in the process of economic and social development in the island countries,crises such as the Fiji coup,Bougainville crisis and the Solomon Islands conflict frequently threaten the regional security and stability.The irresponsible exploitation of fishing and mining in colonial ages,as well as the lack of government’s good governance and the limit of economic development had led the pacific island countries into dilemma of development.Australia increased to improve the aid to these countries to recovery.Due to their own development needs,the Pacific island countries not only need to rely on Australia’s assistance,but also are constantly getting rid of Australia’s constraint and control.In the 21st century,Australia strengthened its emphasis on the security of Pacific island countries and the South Pacific after the September 11 attacks and 2002 Bali bombings,Evidences could be found especially in a series of official documents such as defense white papers and foreign and trade policy white papers.In the future,Australia will remain sensitive to the infiltration of outside powers in regional affairs,and will strive to maintain its leadership and influence in the region on the basis of ensuring regional security and promoting the development of the Pacific island countries.