A free limo is hard to turn away': how car diplomacy turbo charges politics in the Pacific

"At a ceremony in January, a shiny black luxury sedan rolled into the leafy, rain-soaked ground of Fiji's state house. It was a gift from China to the Pacific nation's president, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who thanked Beijing for the beautiful limousine. The vehicle given was a Hongqi or Red Flag car, the same brand used by China's leader, Xi Jinping, during military parades. It is an example of China's prestige diplomacy, says Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the US-based Stimson Center."

"This is more symbolic than substantive, Sun says. It's part of China's aid program that aims to build good personal relationships with leaders. Across the Pacific, countries have long used vehicles from ambulances and police trucks to school buses as a diplomatic tool. But as strategic competition in the region intensifies, these donations have become visible markers of rival efforts to court Pacific governments and solidify partnerships."

"In a region where geographic isolation and high import costs drive up the price of new vehicles, foreign-donated cars often delivered at the donor's expense are highly prized by Pacific governments. Australia, the US, New Zealand and Japan are among the other nations that have donated vehicles in the Pacific. China has given luxury cars, alongside more practical fleets, to countries in the region."

A Hongqi luxury sedan was gifted by China to Fiji's president at a January ceremony, symbolizing prestige diplomacy. The car, the same brand used by China's leader, exemplifies how China uses high-profile gifts alongside practical aid to build personal relationships with regional leaders. Donated vehicles in the Pacific range from ambulances and police trucks to school buses, and are often delivered at the donor's expense. Geographic isolation and high import costs make foreign-donated cars highly prized by Pacific governments. Other donors include Australia, the US, New Zealand and Japan. China has expanded infrastructure projects, development aid and high-profile gifts to persuade Pacific nations to align with Beijing.

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