A luxury Chinese sedan gifted to Fiji has spotlighted the growing use of vehicles as diplomatic tools in the Pacific. At a ceremony in January, a black Hongqi – or Red Flag – limousine was handed over to Fiji's president, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who thanked Beijing for the “beautiful limousine”. The brand is the same one used by China's leader, Xi Jinping, during military parades.
Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the US-based Stimson Center, described the gesture as “prestige diplomacy”. “This is more symbolic than substantive,” she said. “It's part of China's aid program that aims to build good personal relationships with leaders.” Across the Pacific, countries have long donated vehicles – from ambulances and police trucks to school buses – as a diplomatic tool, but with strategic competition intensifying, such gifts have become visible markers of rival efforts to court Pacific governments.
In a region where geographic isolation and high import costs drive up vehicle prices, foreign-donated cars are highly prized. China has given luxury cars to Fiji since 2013 and regularly delivers vehicles during the Pacific Islands Forum. Australia, the US, New Zealand and Japan have also made donations. China's broader objective is to persuade Pacific nations to cut ties with Taiwan and back Beijing's One China principle. Seven years ago, Taiwan counted six Pacific allies; after Nauru severed ties in 2024, only Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Palau remain.
Fiji's president and China's embassy did not respond to requests for comment, but in a February speech Lalabalavu reaffirmed Fiji's commitment to the One China policy. Blake Johnson, a Pacific affairs expert at the Development Intelligence Lab, said the link between gifts and political messaging is often clear. “That reiteration of support for the One China policy is a common phrase that comes along with most kinds of ceremonies where leaders receive gifts or thank China for the aid and support,” he said.
Australia, the largest foreign aid donor to the region, has sought to reassert its role through expanded policing partnerships and security agreements, including its own vehicle donations. Last year, Solomon Islands' prime minister issued public statements thanking Australia for a fleet of police vehicles and then China for a fleet of SUVs. Johnson described such donations as “moving billboards” – rubbish trucks in Honiara emblazoned with “China Aid”, government cars in Vanuatu bearing Korean donation stickers, or a glimmering black presidential car with the red Hongqi symbol. “Vehicles are good bang-for-buck for foreign partners,” he said.
