Dr. Steven Sheffield will explore China’s growing strategic influence in the Pacific Island nations, examining its approach to great power competition through the DIME-FIL framework—Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic, Financial, Intelligence, and Law Enforcement. This talk will cover China’s diplomatic engagement, economic investments under the Belt and Road Initiative, military expansion, and efforts to reshape regional governance. Dr. Sheffield will also address China’s use of information operations, cyber tools, and financial strategies like debt diplomacy. The discussion will assess the implications for U.S. and allied forces and propose responses such as enhanced security partnerships and regional diplomatic engagement.