It was a gift from China to the Pacific nation’s president, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who thanked Beijing for the “beautiful limousine”. It is an example of China’s “prestige diplomacy”, says Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the US-based Stimson Center. Australia, the US, New Zealand and Japan are among the other nations that have donated vehicles in the Pacific. Seven years ago, Taiwan counted six allies in the Pacific region. Blake Johnson, Pacific affairs expert and senior analyst at the Development Intelligence Lab, says the link between gifts and political messaging is often clear.

Source: The Guardian February 10, 2026 04:47 UTC