AUSTRALIA has overtaken China to become the Pacific’s dominant source of lending and infrastructure investment according to the 2026 Lowy Institute Pacific Aid Map. The ninth edition of the Pacific Aid Map tracks more than 50,000 projects worth USD$60 billion in official development finance (ODF) spending across the Pacific Islands region from 2008 to 2024. On Australia, China and the regional aid picture, Pacific Aid Map lead author Riley Duke said: “As other donors retreat and repeated economic shocks hit the region, Australia’s large and sustained support has been a stabilising factor for Pacific economies,” he said. Australia remains the largest Pacific aid partner while the United States reinforces North Pacific ties. Source: Lowly Institute Pacific Aid Map