China’s Higher Education Diplomacy in Papua New Guinea: The Role of Scholarships

-

The growing influence of China in Papua New Guinea (PNG) extends beyond trade and infrastructure; it is deeply embedded in education diplomacy. One of the most visible aspects of this engagement is the Chinese Government Scholarship Program, which provides opportunities for PNG students to study in China. While these scholarships open doors for academic and professional advancement, they also serve as a strategic tool for strengthening Sino-PNG relations.

Scholarships as a Pillar of China’s Soft Power

The Chinese Government Scholarship Program has become a significant component of China’s higher education exchange programs. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PNG’s Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST), Beijing continues to offer scholarships for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs. For the 2025/2026 academic year, PNG students can apply to study in Chinese universities under these fully funded programs, covering tuition fees, accommodation, and living stipends.

However, these scholarships are not just about education; they are a mechanism of soft power, shaping PNG’s perceptions of China. Language and cultural immersion are integral aspects of the scholarship experience. As highlighted in my recent Lowy Institute article on China’s language diplomacy in PNG, China’s investment in education serves a broader geopolitical purpose by cultivating long-term relationships with PNG’s future leaders, policymakers, and professionals.

Beyond the geopolitical aspects, my personal experience as a PNG student navigating education and professional growth is reflected in my article "My Story: The Life That Progresses, The Dreams That Clarify". This journey underscores the transformative impact of scholarships and education opportunities on individuals and their contributions to national development.

Guilin Lu Hu Tong, Chaoyang District, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China.

Additionally, in my blog post "Language Revolution in China", I examine how China’s emphasis on language education serves as a diplomatic and cultural tool. This aspect of education diplomacy is particularly relevant for PNG students studying in China, as language acquisition becomes both a necessity and an avenue for deeper engagement with China.

For those interested in applying for the latest Chinese Government Scholarships, more details can be found in the official DHERST announcement: Bilateral Cooperation Chinese Government Scholarships 2026.

Opportunities and Challenges for PNG Students

For many PNG students, the Chinese Government Scholarship Program represents a rare opportunity to gain quality higher education abroad. The scholarship covers a wide range of disciplines, with priority fields including science, technology, agriculture, medicine, economics, and management. This aligns with PNG’s developmental priorities and workforce needs.

However, there are challenges that applicants and recipients must consider:

  • Language Barrier: Bachelor’s degree programs are taught entirely in Chinese, requiring students to complete intensive language training.

  • Pre-Admission Requirements: Unlike other international scholarships, applicants must secure pre-admission documents from their chosen universities in China before applying.

  • Self-Funded Travel Costs: The 2025/2026 scholarship package does not cover international and domestic travel expenses, making it financially demanding for some students.

  • Limited Communication from Authorities: DHERST has advised applicants that if they do not receive a response by April 20, 2025, they should assume their application was unsuccessful. This lack of feedback can be frustrating for students who are unfamiliar with the selection process.

Strategic Implications for PNG

While the scholarships enhance human resource development, they also have broader implications for PNG’s foreign policy and bilateral relations with China. The increasing number of PNG graduates from Chinese universities strengthens China’s influence in PNG’s policy and economic sectors. Graduates who return home often find themselves in key government and private sector roles, potentially shaping PNG’s strategic alignment with China.

Moreover, as I discussed in my Lowy Institute article, China’s education diplomacy is more than just a goodwill initiative—it fosters deeper economic and political linkages. China’s ability to provide education opportunities that Western donors have largely overlooked gives Beijing an upper hand in regional influence.

Looking Ahead

As China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs continue to grow in PNG, policymakers must consider both the benefits and risks associated with these scholarships. While they provide valuable educational opportunities, there must be a balanced approach to ensure that PNG’s national interests remain at the forefront. The PNG government should actively engage in monitoring and evaluating the long-term impact of these scholarships on the country’s workforce and foreign policy direction.

For prospective applicants, the key takeaway is that these scholarships offer immense academic and career opportunities, but they require careful planning and preparation. Students interested in applying for the 2025/2026 academic year should visit DHERST’s website and adhere to all requirements to maximize their chances of success.

China’s higher education diplomacy in PNG is a double-edged sword—while it contributes to human capital development, it also deepens China’s strategic foothold in the Pacific. PNG must navigate this dynamic carefully to ensure that educational partnerships align with national development priorities and long-term interests.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FPA: Organizational Process Model

-
This model centers on the fact that different bureaucracies have different standard operating procedures. These procedures are made in order to allow day to day operations to be carried out. Thus, a foreign policy decision is made based on these standard operating procedures. It is hard for a bureaucracy to make a decision or let alone function out of character or contrary to their standard operating procedure. The reading Chapter 4: Foreign policy shares a straight forward explanation of the OPM: "An alternative to the rational model of decision making is the organizational process model. In this model, foreign policy decision makers generally skip the labor-intensive process of identifying goals and alternative actions, relying instead for most decisions on standardized responses or standard operating procedures. For example, the U.S. State Department everyday receives more than a thousand reports or inquiries from its embassies around the world and sends out more than a ...
Read more

Commercial liberalism and the six norms

-
Image
Liberal internationalism is defined by Griffiths, O'Callaghan and Roach (2008, p.190) as a project to transform international relations so that they conform to models of peace, freedom, and prosperity allegedly enjoyed within constitutional liberal democracies. The same scholars go further by dividing liberalism into three distinct groups. They say these are the three ways to implement the project. The way they present liberal internationalism as a project makes their work interesting. Three distinct groups Firstly, commercial liberalism is about free trade between states. States bilaterally or multilaterally via a platform like APEC pursue the goal of trade liberalization. Griffiths, O'Callagahan and Roach (ibid.) argued that economic interdependence would decrease the likelihood of going to war. Republican liberalism is about democratic peace. The scholars argued that the spread of democracy among states so that governments will be accountable to their citizens makes it di...
Read more

Allison's rational actor model

-
There are 3 common models of foreign policy decision making according to Graham Allison: rational actor model organizational process mode government politics model.  We will discuss the 3 models and compare them with the 3 levels of analysis. However, I challenge you to use your own initiative to learn about the other models of decision making. This will help you as future decision makers or analysts to understand how decisions are made and the processes. When one wakes up from bed he or she decides whether or not to brush their teeth, comb their hair and have a shower. These decisions are paramount, they affect and influence how the individual interacts in a social setting. This highlights the fact that as human beings we make decisions every day. Decision making is defined as the thought process of selecting a logical choice from the available options. In the case of the ‘Kibung peles boy’ analogy; the male student had a choice of approaching the girl to ask he...
Read more