Foreign Actors, Geopolitics and Riots in the Pacific

Incidents of collective violence that include targeted violence against migrants or outsiders are a growing concern in parts of the Pacific region. Urban riots targeting Asian businesses have occurred in three Pacific countries since 2006. The most recent example involved Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka and some other locations of Papua New Guinea (PNG) in January 2024. Focusing on interactions between Chinese migrants and Pacific Islanders, this In Brief outlines how competition between these two groups, and geopolitical competition more broadly, can inflame domestic politics, unrest and insecurity in the Pacific. There are, of course, many factors contributing to or associated with particular riots, as shown in recent analyses of PNG’s riots. This paper outlines two examples of Pacific riots, each with its distinct characteristics and background, in order to highlight some key security considerations. The two cases presented are from Tonga and Solomon Islands.