Sports Diplomacy in the Pacific Region and the Sino-Australian Great Game

Stuart Murray, Tony Yang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter examines Australia and China’s different approaches to the Pacific and argues that sports diplomacy is central to creating influence, generating power, and winning the battle for hearts and minds. The analysis reveals that China prefers a classical approach, employing sport as part of a broader development strategy, whereas the Australians have adopted a more innovative strategy, encapsulated in their PacificAus Sports program. This chapter describes and reviews each country’s unique approach before pondering who is winning the Great Game and the implications of the result for the region. It concludes with guidance to consider the different cultures, histories, and philosophies of the 15 countries that make up the Pacific Islands.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Geopolitical Economy of Sport : Power, Politics, Money, and the State
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter31
Pages262-280
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781003348238
ISBN (Print)9781003348238
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jun 2023

Publication series

Name
PublisherTaylor & Francis Group

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sports Diplomacy in the Pacific Region and the Sino-Australian Great Game'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this