Where Australia sits in this $6 billion race for influence as China's strategy shifts

What was a "real foothold" for China in the Pacific has been narrowed, according to a new report.

Australia remains the leading aid partner for the Pacific as China changes approach, according to the latest report featuring a think tank's long-term research.

Australia supplants China as the dominant lender and infrastructure investor across the Pacific as the government ploughs billions of dollars into the region through both foreign aid and loans.