Why China buying up ports is worrying Europe

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

South China Morning Post
PUBLISHED : Sunday, 23 September, 2018, 7:31am
UPDATED : Sunday, 23 September, 2018, 3:28pm

[excerpt]

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2165341/why-china-buying-ports-worrying-europe

Far-reaching commercial activities raise question of whether port investments are linked to military purposes and represent a security risk in host countries

Under its trillion-dollar “Belt and Road Initiative” – a blueprint announced in 2013 to boost trade and connectivity in Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond – China has significantly increased its global investments, particularly in maritime infrastructure.

Pioneering Chinese companies such as Cosco Shipping Ports and China Merchants Port Holdings are on a march to acquire shares or sign deals to build terminals at seaports overseas.

Cosco began operating a container port in Piraeus in Greece in 2008, when the Greek government was near bankruptcy. Beijing has since become a big player in the European port business.