根据洛伊研究所太平洋援助地图，澳大利亚已超越中国，成为太平洋地区最大的贷款人和基础设施投资者[1]。2024年，澳大利亚提供了太平洋地区37%的发展支出，相比之下中国仅占6%，新西兰、美国和日本分别贡献11%、8%和3%[1]。亚洲开发银行和世界银行各贡献该地区总体开发支出的11%和10%[1]。
澳大利亚通过澳大利亚太平洋基础设施融资便利（AIFFP）等机制扩大在太平洋的投资力度[1]。该便利自2019年成立以来已承诺超过10亿美元的贷款和8.5亿美元的赠款[1]，澳大利亚自2021年以来还签署了价值24亿美元的新贷款协议[1]。与此同时，美国与密克罗尼西亚联邦、马绍尔群岛和帕劳续约《自由联系契约》，该协议价值超过70亿美元，期限为二十年（自2024年起）[1]。
洛伊研究所主任Riley Duke指出，"历史上这个地区一直由中国主导。北京通过大规模贷款融资基础设施交易建立了许多关系和影响力"[1]。数据显示，中国国企在过去十年中赢得了亚洲开发银行和世界银行超过一半的基础设施合同[1]。
Australia has emerged as the Pacific region's largest lender and infrastructure investor, displacing China from a position of dominance it has long held in the area.[1] According to the Lowy Institute's Pacific Aid Map, Australia accounted for 37 percent of development spending across the Pacific in 2024, substantially outpacing China's 6 percent contribution.[1] New Zealand provided 11 percent, the United States 8 percent, and Japan 3 percent of regional development expenditure.[1]
Australia's expanded role has been facilitated through mechanisms such as the Australia Infrastructure Finance Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), which has committed over $1 billion in loans and $850 million in grants since its establishment in 2019.[1] The country has signed new loan agreements worth $2.4 billion since 2021 alone.[1] Despite these substantial commitments, Australia faces mounting pressure to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.[1] The Asian Development Bank and World Bank each contributed 11 percent and 10 percent respectively to overall development spending in the region.[1]
The shift reflects a broader reordering of geopolitical influence in the Pacific.[1] Riley Duke, director of the Lowy Institute, noted that "historically this region has been dominated by China, with Beijing establishing many relationships and influence through large-scale loan financing of infrastructure deals."[1] Chinese state enterprises have won more than half of all infrastructure contracts awarded by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank over the past decade.[1] Meanwhile, the United States reinforced its regional presence by renewing the Compact of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau for a twenty-year period beginning in 2024, in an agreement valued at over $7 billion.[1]