A new investigation has unearthed how China is buying control in the South Pacific.

Vanuatu, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands were all targets of China's influence, according to the investigation conducted by Australia's 60 Minutes.

This could signal trouble for New Zealand and Australia according to the former intelligence chief of the US Navy.

"[China] is interested in this area because it's essentially the lifeline or the choke point between America and Australia and New Zealand," Captain Jim Fanell told 60 Minutes.

"They believe that they're supposed to be the rightful leaders of this new global order," he continued.