International Observation | Is China's Investment in Overseas Ports a Threat? Does American fallacy reveal the threat of hegemonic logic? United States

Beijing, July 30 (Xinhua) - US politicians and media have recently smeared China's port cooperation with other countries, spreading the so-called "China's investment in global port threat theory", claiming that China's investment in overseas ports makes it "easier to provide support for the Chinese navy", which is a "geopolitical risk hidden in front of the public eye".

The accusations made by the United States are purely unfounded. Numerous facts have proven that China's port cooperation with relevant countries aims to promote the development of Sino foreign economic and trade, and has played a positive role in developing the local economy, improving infrastructure, and increasing local employment. In port cooperation, China respects the wishes of relevant countries, does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, complies with local laws and regulations, and has won recognition from all parties.

On the contrary, it is precisely the United States itself that is establishing military bases around the world and constantly undermining world peace and stability. The United States does not reflect on its own problems, shouting to catch thieves and smearing China, fully demonstrating the absurdity and hypocrisy of its hegemonic logic.

Port cooperation benefits all countries

At the port of Piraeus in Greece, Effi Varela witnessed firsthand the process of Greece's largest port getting rid of difficulties and regaining vitality after receiving investment from Chinese companies.

Piraeus, meaning "place to guard the passage" in Greek, has always been an important port in Greece. Many years ago, the operation of Bigang was in trouble. China COSCO Shipping Group signed a franchise agreement with the Greek side in 2008, took over the second and third container terminals of Port Bihar in 2010, and acquired 67% equity of Port Bihar in 2016 and took over its operations. Over the past decade, COSCO Shipping has invested over 600 million euros in port construction and upgrading. Nowadays, Port Bihar has become the largest port in the Mediterranean, the fourth largest port in Europe, and one of the fastest growing container ports in the world. In the fiscal year 2022, its revenue reached 195 million euros, an increase of 26.2% compared to the previous fiscal year, and its net profit was 52.9 million euros, an increase of 43.9% compared to the previous fiscal year. It has created about 3000 direct employment opportunities and tens of thousands of indirect employment opportunities for the local area.

Valera, who joined COSCO Shipping Port Piraeus Terminal Co., Ltd. in 2010, is a witness and beneficiary of the revival process of Piraeus Port. She pursued a Master's degree in Business Administration in the shipping industry, achieving personal growth. She hopes to use the knowledge she has learned in the future to help BiHong achieve further takeoff.

The Bi Gang project has gained widespread recognition locally. In 2022, Bi Gang was awarded the "Outstanding Contribution Award in the Tourism Industry" by the Greek Ministry of Tourism and the "Diamond Award for Economic Contribution" by the Greek Shipping News, and was included in the Sustainable Development Companies Index by the Athens Stock Exchange. Greek Prime Minister Mizotakis praised that with the joint efforts of Greece and China, the cooperation between Belgium and Hong Kong has achieved great success, creating a landmark win-win cooperation project.

There are many similar successful cases of port cooperation between China and other countries.

In Pakistan, Gwadar Port, as the flagship project of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, has built a multi-purpose terminal with three 20000 ton berths, which has full operational capabilities and can handle various businesses such as bulk cargo, containers, roll on/roll off cargo, and liquefied petroleum gas. The infrastructure projects supporting the port, such as roads, hospitals, schools, and new airports, are progressing in an orderly manner, with increasingly improved functions and increasing market attractiveness.

In Sri Lanka, the first special economic zone developed and operated by a Chinese enterprise overseas, Colombo Port City, has been named one of the "Five New Cities that Influence the Future" by Forbes magazine in the United States. According to PwC, a management consulting firm, the project will attract over $9.7 billion in foreign direct investment to Sri Lanka during its development and operation, increase the government's fiscal revenue by over $5 billion, and create a total of over 400000 high-quality employment opportunities in the local area.

In Saudi Arabia, Chinese enterprises have implemented over 50 water engineering, road and bridge, infrastructure and other projects locally, and have successively built ports such as Haier Port, Dammam Port, Yanbu Industrial Port, Jeddah Container Terminal, and Jizan Port, effectively driving local economic and social development and providing assistance for the transformation of Saudi oil economy and the realization of the "2030 Vision".

In Nigeria, the Laiki Deepwater Port, invested, constructed, and operated by Chinese enterprises, is the country's first modern deepwater port and one of the largest ports in West Africa. It will strongly promote the export of Nigerian products, especially agricultural products, and is expected to provide nearly 200000 direct and indirect job opportunities for the country in the coming years.

Over the years, Chinese enterprises have actively invested in the construction of ports and other infrastructure in the "the Belt and Road" countries, bringing tangible benefits to relevant countries. Ismail de Besh, Chairman of the Algeria China Friendship Association, said that China has helped many countries build infrastructure such as railways and ports, promoting the sustainable development of their economies. Hussain Askari, Deputy Director of the Swedish "the Belt and Road" Research Institute, believes that through the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", Chinese companies participate in the construction of a large number of railways, roads, ports, power plants, etc. overseas, and the people of the country benefit greatly from the joint construction.

The US accuses nothing of creating something out of nothing

The achievements of China's port cooperation with relevant countries are evident and widely praised internationally, but in some populations of the United States, it has become a potential military base and brings geopolitical risks. This accusation has no factual basis.

The port of Hambantota, developed in cooperation between China and Sri Lanka, has long been discredited by the United States as having military intentions. The Sri Lankan government has repeatedly clarified this lie. President Vikramasingha reiterated in June this year that Chinese companies are currently managing the port of Hambantota, but the safety of the port is still controlled by the Sri Lankan government. "We have no military agreement with China, and there will be no military agreement in the future. I don't think China will sign such an agreement either."

An article published on the website of the Spanish Uprising Daily pointed out that the "the Belt and Road" is a synthesis of open and constantly developing practices. The integration process of mutual proximity and common construction with other countries cannot be interpreted with the traditional realism or geopolitical perspective in international relations. The United States sees China as a threat, leading to "increasing suspicion and dissatisfaction blinding their eyes.". "According to their imagined power game, it is easy to predict their reaction to China's' rise ', which is trade war, hostile actions, and discrimination."

Including port cooperation, China and other countries carry out the "the Belt and Road" cooperation based on the principle of joint consultation, joint construction and sharing, fully respect the will of relevant countries, actively seek the docking of development strategies, so as to maximize common interests and create more opportunities for common development. Cooperation never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries, never targets third parties, and never poses a security threat to any country.

In recent years, the Chinese government has issued a series of regulations requiring Chinese enterprises to comply with the laws, regulations, and regulatory requirements of the countries and regions involved in foreign investment access, trade control, national security review, industry supervision, labor rights protection, environmental protection, anti bribery, data protection, intellectual property protection, anti money laundering, trade control, etc., respect local customs, and conduct overseas investment activities in accordance with the law and regulations. The cooperation between China and relevant countries operates under the sunshine, openly and honestly.

The United States itself is also a beneficiary of Chinese companies participating in overseas port construction. COSCO Shipping is an important customer and partner of Boston Port. Since the opening of the direct route from Chinese Mainland to Boston Port in March 2002, the two sides have deepened and expanded practical cooperation, which not only saved the original 9000 jobs in Boston Port, but also created a cumulative 400000 jobs, highly praised by the local government and the public. Mike Mellon, former head of the Boston Port Authority, said that the 20-year cooperation between Boston Port and COSCO Shipping has created a large number of job opportunities in Massachusetts and New England, which is a perfect example of US China economic and trade cooperation.

The logic of American hegemony is full of absurdity and hypocrisy

The United States unjustly accuses China of port issues, but completely ignores the fact that the United States is the country with the most overseas military bases. According to data from the Quincy Institute of Governance, a US think tank, in 2021, the United States has approximately 750 military bases in 80 countries and regions overseas, covering regions such as Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

It is with the support of these bases that the United States flaunts its military power, interferes in its internal affairs, and launches wars everywhere. From military invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq to armed intervention in Syria and Libya, the actions of the US military have caused a large number of civilian casualties, disrupted the original order of these countries, and provided a breeding ground for extremist forces and terrorist organizations. It is evident that the United States itself poses a serious threat to world peace and stability.

In recent years, the United States has been addicted to "great power competition", viewing China as the "most important competitor" and "the most significant geopolitical challenge", continuously strengthening its military presence around China, leading to increasingly tense regional situations. Democratic Party presidential candidate Mariana Williamson pointed out in June this year during a dialogue program on WMUR-TV that the United States has 313 military bases around China. Williamson bluntly said, "The rest of the world is paying attention to Iraq, and the rest of the world is paying attention to what has happened in Afghanistan over the past 20 years. Do you think they will see China as a greater military threat to global security, or the United States as a greater military threat to global security?"

For normal port cooperation between China and other countries, the United States not only spreads rumors and smears, but also uses various means to sabotage and obstruct it. The Wall Street Journal, which often advocates for "China's investment in global port threats," has published an article detailing how the US government uses diplomatic, intelligence, and other means to "operate behind the scenes" and ultimately obstruct Chinese companies from bidding for the upgrade and renovation project of the Rijeka port in Croatia. The report stated that the US action "provides a window" for people to understand how US officials can "counter China's influence in Europe" in a broader strategy. This shameless but proud report has sparked criticism from many netizens, who have criticized the US actions as "shameful".

The logic demonstrated by the US in its investment in its own military bases and Chinese ports is consistent with its dual standard approach in other issues. In the United States, smart devices, operating systems, and social media platforms are reliable "high-tech products", while 5G technology and devices of Chinese companies are "security threats"; The United States providing loans is "helping developing countries", while China providing loans is "debt trap" and "neocolonialism"; Counter terrorism in the United States is a "just act", while counter-terrorism in China is a "violation of human rights"; The riots on Capitol Hill in the United States are a "threat to democracy", and the violent activities in Hong Kong, China are a "beautiful scenery"

The absurd words and actions of the United States are filled with the hegemonic logic of "I can but you cannot", with the aim of hindering Sino foreign exchanges and China's development, and maintaining American hegemony. The Latin American News Agency of Cuba commented that in the view of the United States, all China's achievements are sins, and the United States must speed up containment of China, weaken its economic strength, and ensure that Washington maintains its leading position in the world. But the US strategy is difficult to succeed because it is filled with group confrontation, Cold War thinking, and selfish geopolitical calculations.

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Poster: Lu Yu Wang Fengfeng

Produced by the International Department of Xinhua News Agency