BEIJING (Pacnews) — China has chosen as its new ambassador to Australia a diplomat with extensive experience in the Pacific islands, where the potential for friction with Canberra has been growing fast.
The successor to the formidable Fu Ying, who is to become ambassador to London, is Zhang Junsai, at present one of two deputy directors-general of the North America and Oceania Affairs Department at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zhang Junsai was expected to take up his new job in late March. He knows Australia well, having been consul for political affairs in the late 1990s — a position held until early 2005 by Chinese defector Chen Yonglin.
According to Chen, Zhang’s role was not directly related to intelligence but all Chinese officials were expected to supply information on the Chinese community in Australia.
He said Zhang was ambitious and focused on his career. “If the Communist government were to collapse, he would have a different attitude. He’s a very practical guy.”
Zhang served as ambassador to Fiji for more than three years until March 2004 during which he became familiar with deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the military coup leader who replaced him in December, Frank Bainimarama.
As China extends its influence in the Pacific to counter Taiwan’s attempts to gain increased diplomatic recognition, and to win access to the region’s fish and mineral resources, it has started to encounter criticism from Canberra for giving aid that undermines the good governance standards Australia has sought to introduce.
Lowy Institute executive director Allan Gyngell said: “Ambassador Zhang’s appointment is very welcome. Australia and China have an important dialogue on many global issues, but few will be more pressing over the next few years than developments in the South Pacific, where China is now an important external influence.”
Zhang was serving in the Pacific in late 2004, when the then Vanuatu prime minister, Serge Vohor, was planning to switch official recognition to Taipei.
“Taiwan authorities always use checkbook diplomacy — bribery. This tactic is impinging on Third World independence,” he was quoted as saying.