China Conquers Polynesia

By: Ted Halstead

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

"Fun and Games in Paradise- Post-Putin Russia sometimes finds its interests align more closely with Western powers than since the 1990s. Mr. Halstead, a former diplomat, is well informed, and all his books are entertaining and interesting. As an Australian, the thought of China advancing its interests aggressively in Polynesia is unsettling. Despite official encouragement, Australian firms refuse to expand into Polynesia because it's too hard, leaving the field open for the Chinese, who are enterprising and industrious. Great fare for those who enjoy intelligent techno-thrillers."

America’s Navy has been the undisputed leader in the Pacific since WWII. Now, China plans to change that.

By conquering French Polynesia. A nuclear weapon lost during one of dozens of French nuclear tests has been discovered there by rebels. Their leader, Mai, will use it to force France out of Polynesia.

On their own, the rebels might have little chance. Unless a Chinese Navy carrier task force intervenes to help them achieve independence before the French military can respond.

China will call it a “peacekeeping mission.” Flight Leader Tan Sichun, one of China’s first female naval aviators, is determined to make it succeed.

French agents from Paris are already in French Polynesia. Their leader, Captain Giraud, knows the rebels have penetrated all local French military and police operations, so they must be excluded from the search for the weapon.

But Giraud is getting help from a surprising source. Russia is not enthusiastic about the rise of Chinese power in the Pacific, where not long ago the USSR faced only American competition.

Russia has sent two agents. Neda Rhahbar is originally from Iran and is a nuclear weapons expert, including ways to disarm them. Alina is a senior FSB field operative with one great advantage for this mission.

Long ago, one of Alina’s first missions was to assess the Polynesian rebel movement. During it, she met Mai. Can Alina get Mai to trust her again, as he did all those years ago?

Will anyone help the French stand up to China? If not, can France resist alone?

Or will China become the greatest Pacific power?