In January, a gleaming black luxury sedan made its way into the rain-soaked grounds of Fiji’s state house. This vehicle, a gift from China, was presented to Fiji’s president, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who expressed gratitude to Beijing for the “beautiful limousine.” The car, a Hongqi or “Red Flag” model, is the same brand used by China’s leader, Xi Jinping, during military parades.
This gesture is part of what Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the US-based Stimson Center, describes as China’s “prestige diplomacy.” Sun notes, “This is more symbolic than substantive. It’s part of China’s aid program that aims to build good personal relationships with leaders.”
Vehicle Donations as Diplomatic Tools
Across the Pacific, the use of vehicles as diplomatic tools is not new. From ambulances and police trucks to school buses, countries have long leveraged vehicle donations to strengthen ties. However, as strategic competition in the region intensifies, these gifts have become more visible markers of efforts to court Pacific governments and solidify partnerships.
In a region where geographic isolation and high import costs elevate the price of new vehicles, foreign-donated cars—often delivered at the donor’s expense—are highly valued by Pacific governments. Australia, the US, New Zealand, and Japan are among the nations contributing vehicles to the Pacific. China, in addition to practical fleets, has gifted luxury cars to countries in the region. As early as 2013, China donated luxury vehicles to Fiji’s leaders and continues to deliver cars during the Pacific Islands Forum, the region’s main leaders’ gathering.
China’s Expanding Influence
Over the past decade, China has been steadily expanding its diplomatic, economic, and political footprint across the Pacific. This includes courting governments with infrastructure projects, development aid, and high-profile gifts. One of China’s objectives is to persuade Pacific nations to cut ties with Taiwan and support Beijing’s One China principle, which asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory. Seven years ago, Taiwan had six allies in the Pacific region. Now, with Nauru severing its Taiwan ties in 2024, only three remain—Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, and Palau.
Neither Fiji’s president nor China’s embassy in Fiji responded to requests for comment about the latest gift. However, in a speech during the car handover in February, Lalabalavu reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to the “One China policy.”
“That reiteration of support for the One China policy is a common phrase that comes along with most kinds of ceremonies where [Pacific leaders] receive gifts or thank China for the aid and support,” says Blake Johnson, a Pacific affairs expert and senior analyst at the Development Intelligence Lab.
Implications for Traditional Partners
China’s growing presence has unsettled traditional partners in the Pacific, particularly Australia, which has long seen itself as the primary partner and remains the largest foreign aid donor to the region. Over the past decade, Canberra has moved to reassert its role by expanding policing partnerships, security agreements, and infrastructure assistance, including its own vehicle donations.
Last year, the Solomon Islands’ prime minister released two public statements in quick succession, first thanking Australia for a fleet of police vehicles, then thanking China for a fleet of SUVs. This incident highlighted a “level of one-upmanship,” according to Johnson, and also underscored Australia’s desire to maintain its relationships in the Pacific amidst Beijing’s growing influence.
“Australia has made it quite clear it wants to be the security partner of choice in the Pacific,” Johnson says. “When Australia is working so closely with forces across the Pacific, it is easier to have vehicles and equipment that match.”
Other Players in the Region
China and Australia are not the only players in the Pacific vehicle diplomacy game. In January, the United States donated two ambulances to Palau. Japan, Korea, and New Zealand have all supplied fleets to Pacific governments.
For donor nations, the appeal of vehicle donations is clear. Johnson describes these vehicles as “moving billboards”—rubbish trucks in Honiara emblazoned with “China Aid,” government cars in Vanuatu bearing stickers noting their donation from Korea, or a glimmering black presidential car with the red Hongqi symbol.
“Vehicles are good bang-for-buck for foreign partners,” Johnson says. “They drive around every day, reinforcing that relationship again and again.”
Johnson points out that most Pacific island countries need support, and “vehicles can be useful regardless of where they come from.”
“A free limo here and there is pretty hard to turn away,” he says.
As the geopolitical landscape in the Pacific continues to evolve, the role of vehicle diplomacy is likely to remain significant, serving as both a practical gift and a symbol of deeper political alliances.
