環境史學界習慣將近代南太平洋地區生態與文化的變化解釋為創造"新歐洲"的結果,其主要敘事線索為西方殖民主義與本土經驗的互動。然而,從18世紀末至20世紀初,中國與南太平洋地區也建立并維持了緊密聯系。在以海上貿易為基礎的交通網絡建立后,華人移民勞工和其后興起的華人資本都積極參與并推動了南太平洋地區農牧礦復合生態的形成。近代華人對南太平洋地區生態及文化的影響經歷了由海及陸、由間接到直接、由勞動密集到資本密集的擴大過程。這不僅彰顯了中國因素在近代全球生態重塑中的重要影響,更啟示學界應該深入發掘中國在全球化尤其是太平洋地區一體化進程中的歷史能動性。

Environmental historians often explain ecological and cultural changes in the modern South Pacific as results of the creation of a "New Europe". Their narratives are generally based on interactions between Western colonialism and local experiences. As a matter of fact, China had also established and maintained close ties with the South Pacific region from the end of the 18 th century to the beginning of the 20 th century. After the formation of a transportation network based on the sea trade, Chinese migrant laborers and, subsequently, Chinese capital played an active role in promoting the formation of a complex ecosystem of farming, grazing, and mining in the region. Modern Chinese people’s ecological and cultural influence in the region expanded from sea to land, indirect to direct, and labor-intensive to capital-intensive. This not only shows the significant Chinese influence on global ecological reconstruction during the modern period. It also reminds the academic community that in-depth studies should be carried out to explore the dynamic role China has played in globalization, especially in the historical process through which the Pacific region was integrated.