China’s Trojan Ports - Hudson Institute

[TomSea]

China’s Trojan Ports

John Lee

As China continues to project its presence, money, and influence into Western Europe, long-forgotten histories are resurfacing by way of analogy to the present challenge. According to one such narrative, Chinese strategy resembles that of the ancient Sea Peoples—a mysterious confederation that attacked territories in the East Mediterranean largely controlled by the Egyptian empire between 1200 and 900 B.C.E. The metaphor is an imperfect one. Not traditionally of the sea, China has long been a continental power, only now attempting to make the difficult transition to a maritime superpower. Its militaries are not making a beeline for Europe. Beijing is promising greater trade and economic cooperation, not threatening war.

A more appropriate metaphor from ancient history, however, can be used to describe Chinese economic activities. Beijing’s offerings resemble the Trojan Horse that the Greeks used to enter and lay waste to the independent city of Troy. This is especially true when it comes to the buying up of European ports.

It is estimated that state-backed Chinese investors state own at least 10 percent of all equity in ports in Europe, with deals inked in Greece, Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. This is in addition to a growing investment portfolio of at least 40 ports in North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South and Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific.

Read more at: https://www.hudson.org/research/14717-china-s-trojan-ports