The traditional external powers in the Pacific Islands are still coming to terms with China's increasing level of engagement with the regioThat was the focus of a conference this week at the National University of Samoa; 'China and the Pacific: The View from Oceania,' that sought to counter misperceptions about China's role in the region, particularly its aid programme.Organised by Victoria University's Contemporary China Research Centre in conjunction with the Centre for Oceania Studies at China's Sun Yat-sen University and Samoa's University, the conference pulled together a wide range of scholars and policy makers including rarely-heard Chinese voices on the issue.In the last decade, China's rapid growth has found it eager to spread its influence in a number of regions around the world, including the Pacific.There are economic and security reasons for this, but also, China said, because it wants to help smaller countries.Recently, China announced a US$2 billion loan facility available to Pacific countries in the next few years.China's Ambassador to Samoa, Madame Li Yanduan, said China was taking its role as a leading member of the global community seriously.\It is our belief that common development is good for the interests of China and also the rest of the developing countries