The South Pacific is home to some of the most beautiful islands in the world, picture perfect beaches and crystal-clear water in nations like Vanuatu, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands.

Australians generally think of these neighbouring countries as sunny playgrounds for postcard holidays, but China sees them as an invaluable asset.

'Seeing Red' airs tonight on 60 Minutes after Hamish and Andy's Perfect Holiday. For more information and to watch full episodes, visit the 60 Minutes website .

Australians generally think of these neighbouring countries as sunny playgrounds for postcard holidays, but China sees them as an invaluable asset. (60 Minutes)

As such, a soft invasion of the region is currently underway. The People's Republic of China is moving in and expanding out.

This Sunday a special 60 Minutes investigation reveals how China is rapidly spreading its influence in the South Pacific by splashing cash in the countries which switch their diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to the communist superpower.

The most recent Pacific nations to ditch Taiwan and recognise China are the Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

As an example of the way China is doing business in the Pacific, companies closely linked to Beijing secretly tried to take out a 75-year lease on one of the Solomon Islands, Tulagi. The proposed deal included rights to its deep-water port, oil, gas, fishing, forestry and tourism.

It follows China's construction of a gigantic wharf in Vanuatu, major infrastructure deemed completely unnecessary in such a small country except for one advantage: it was capable of docking an aircraft carrier.

Former intelligence chief of the US Navy's Pacific Fleet, Captain Jim Fanell says China's fast-moving plans should sound a warning to other Pacific nations and even Australia. (60 Minutes)

"With the flip at Kiribati and the Solomons, and what they're doing in Vanuatu, what they're doing in Fiji, you start to see a trend line here," Mr Fanell tells 60 Minutes. (60 Minutes)

As 60 Minutes correspondent Liam Bartlett reports, China's expansion in the South Pacific seems part of a grand strategic plan to extend its alliances further and further south, edging closer to Australia and New Zealand.

Former intelligence chief of the US Navy's Pacific Fleet, Captain Jim Fanell says China's fast-moving plans should sound a warning to other Pacific nations and even Australia.

"They say they want to be your economic partner, the end result is they become your economic master," he tells 60 Minutes.

"They believe that they're supposed to be the rightful leaders of this new global order, and that we're going to have the Chinese century."

But China's influence could have a sinister side. Daniel Suidani, the Premier of the Solomon Islands largest island Malaita, tells Liam Bartlett he was offered a SI$1 million (A$178,306) bribe to support his country's switch to China.

Daniel Suidani, the Premier of the Solomon Islands largest island Malaita, tells Liam Bartlett he was offered a SI$1 million bribe to support his country's switch to China. (60 Minutes)

"It's very dangerous doing business with China, especially in a country like the Solomon Islands," Mr Suidani tells Bartlett.

Jim Fanell agrees and warns of a greater threat in the region.

"With the flip at Kiribati and the Solomons, and what they're doing in Vanuatu, what they're doing in Fiji, you start to see a trend line here," he tells 60 Minutes.