In the context of debates on the rise of China in the West, China's seaport investment pr... more In the context of debates on the rise of China in the West, China's seaport investment projects in the Mediterranean region have aroused concerns in the US and the EU given that they regard China as an emerging strategic and economic challenge. The EU has strategic doubts about the security, political, and economic implications of China's seaport investments. The EU is concerned that Beijing's investment has geopolitical and military purposes, which might undermine internal solidarity in the EU and subvert the existing shipping structure in Europe. This study attempts to discuss how does the EU perceives China's seaport investment and reveal whether China is a status-quo competitor or a partner for the EU in the Mediterranean. The major nding indicates that the EU had the attitude of hedging China and the US in uence plays a signi cant role on this issue. This study put forth a clear answer on China's seaport investments' 'Dilemma'.
In recent years, multiple dilemmas in regards of politics, security, diplomacy and economy, espec... more In recent years, multiple dilemmas in regards of politics, security, diplomacy and economy, especially the lasting economic stall are faced by Turkey. Why did Turkey fell from the dazzling emerging economy into a stagnant economy? It cannot be ignorable that the stalling economy has highlighted the internal contradictions in domestic political and economic systems. The reasons why Turkish “economic miracle” suffered crisis mainly are the weakening of internal momentum, over-reliance on foreign investment, declining of the driving force of reform, as well as multiple internal and external crises. The stalling economy has largely weakened the economic foundation of the Turkish model, promoting the turbulence and conservative trend of domestic politics and speeding up the authoritarianization of Turkish president Erdogan. The stalling economy, coupled with worsening diplomatic dilemma and dim democracy, led to the crisis of the Turkish model. The crisis of the model has impacted on Tur...
In the context of debates on the rise of China in the West, China's seaport investment projects i... more In the context of debates on the rise of China in the West, China's seaport investment projects in the Mediterranean region have aroused concerns in the US and the EU given that they regard China as an emerging strategic and economic challenge. The EU has strategic doubts about the security, political, and economic implications of China's seaport investments. The EU is concerned that Beijing's investment has geopolitical and military purposes, which might undermine internal solidarity in the EU and subvert the existing shipping structure in Europe. This study attempts to discuss how does the EU perceives China's seaport investment and reveal whether China is a status-quo competitor or a partner for the EU in the Mediterranean. The major finding indicates that the EU had the attitude of hedging China and the US influence plays a significant role on this issue. This study put forth a clear answer on China's seaport investments' 'Dilemma'.
China seeks to build a multipolar architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean through economic expa... more China seeks to build a multipolar architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean through economic expansion without challenging the political and security order in the region. Unlike the United States, Russia, Britain and France, which rely on military presence in the region, China has built substantial economic presence within its ambitious framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, exemplified by its seaport diplomacy towards Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. China’s seaport diplomacy is shaped by its development-oriented mentality, and driven by the economic competitiveness of the host countries, China’s economic interdependence and political affinity with the target states, as well as the development potential and the regional influence of the target seaports. Beijing highlights that its geoeconomic interests, manifested in its participation in seaport development, are compatible with other great powers’ geopolitical interests in the region. However, China’s seaport diplomacy there faces various hurdles, including seaport overcapacity, debt problems and great powers’ geopolitical rivalry due to China’s ambiguity of strategic motives. In the long run, China’s commercial seaport projects in the Eastern Mediterranean may have potential to clash with the United States and the European Union due to the escalating mutual mistrust among great powers, making it hard for Beijing to seek economic benefit while avoiding political entanglement.
Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, 2021
In recent years, China has actively participated in port construction and development in the Gulf... more In recent years, China has actively participated in port construction and development in the Gulf and East Africa. China’s investment and construction of ports in this region demonstrates the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the host countries, serves the regional development and the overall interests of China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation, and reflects the characteristics of letting one case guide a whole area. China’s investment in port construction is faced with the risks of port politicisation and security problems brought about by the geopolitical game of world major powers. It is necessary for China to take the Western Indian Ocean region as a whole, to attach importance to the coordination and cooperation between the Gulf and East Africa in terms of geo-economy, channel route security and port construction layout, and pay attention to reducing the risks of port politicisation and security.
In the context of debates on the rise of China in the West, China's seaport investment pr... more In the context of debates on the rise of China in the West, China's seaport investment projects in the Mediterranean region have aroused concerns in the US and the EU given that they regard China as an emerging strategic and economic challenge. The EU has strategic doubts about the security, political, and economic implications of China's seaport investments. The EU is concerned that Beijing's investment has geopolitical and military purposes, which might undermine internal solidarity in the EU and subvert the existing shipping structure in Europe. This study attempts to discuss how does the EU perceives China's seaport investment and reveal whether China is a status-quo competitor or a partner for the EU in the Mediterranean. The major nding indicates that the EU had the attitude of hedging China and the US in uence plays a signi cant role on this issue. This study put forth a clear answer on China's seaport investments' 'Dilemma'.
In recent years, multiple dilemmas in regards of politics, security, diplomacy and economy, espec... more In recent years, multiple dilemmas in regards of politics, security, diplomacy and economy, especially the lasting economic stall are faced by Turkey. Why did Turkey fell from the dazzling emerging economy into a stagnant economy? It cannot be ignorable that the stalling economy has highlighted the internal contradictions in domestic political and economic systems. The reasons why Turkish “economic miracle” suffered crisis mainly are the weakening of internal momentum, over-reliance on foreign investment, declining of the driving force of reform, as well as multiple internal and external crises. The stalling economy has largely weakened the economic foundation of the Turkish model, promoting the turbulence and conservative trend of domestic politics and speeding up the authoritarianization of Turkish president Erdogan. The stalling economy, coupled with worsening diplomatic dilemma and dim democracy, led to the crisis of the Turkish model. The crisis of the model has impacted on Tur...
In the context of debates on the rise of China in the West, China's seaport investment projects i... more In the context of debates on the rise of China in the West, China's seaport investment projects in the Mediterranean region have aroused concerns in the US and the EU given that they regard China as an emerging strategic and economic challenge. The EU has strategic doubts about the security, political, and economic implications of China's seaport investments. The EU is concerned that Beijing's investment has geopolitical and military purposes, which might undermine internal solidarity in the EU and subvert the existing shipping structure in Europe. This study attempts to discuss how does the EU perceives China's seaport investment and reveal whether China is a status-quo competitor or a partner for the EU in the Mediterranean. The major finding indicates that the EU had the attitude of hedging China and the US influence plays a significant role on this issue. This study put forth a clear answer on China's seaport investments' 'Dilemma'.
China seeks to build a multipolar architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean through economic expa... more China seeks to build a multipolar architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean through economic expansion without challenging the political and security order in the region. Unlike the United States, Russia, Britain and France, which rely on military presence in the region, China has built substantial economic presence within its ambitious framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, exemplified by its seaport diplomacy towards Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. China’s seaport diplomacy is shaped by its development-oriented mentality, and driven by the economic competitiveness of the host countries, China’s economic interdependence and political affinity with the target states, as well as the development potential and the regional influence of the target seaports. Beijing highlights that its geoeconomic interests, manifested in its participation in seaport development, are compatible with other great powers’ geopolitical interests in the region. However, China’s seaport diplomacy there faces various hurdles, including seaport overcapacity, debt problems and great powers’ geopolitical rivalry due to China’s ambiguity of strategic motives. In the long run, China’s commercial seaport projects in the Eastern Mediterranean may have potential to clash with the United States and the European Union due to the escalating mutual mistrust among great powers, making it hard for Beijing to seek economic benefit while avoiding political entanglement.
Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, 2021
In recent years, China has actively participated in port construction and development in the Gulf... more In recent years, China has actively participated in port construction and development in the Gulf and East Africa. China’s investment and construction of ports in this region demonstrates the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the host countries, serves the regional development and the overall interests of China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation, and reflects the characteristics of letting one case guide a whole area. China’s investment in port construction is faced with the risks of port politicisation and security problems brought about by the geopolitical game of world major powers. It is necessary for China to take the Western Indian Ocean region as a whole, to attach importance to the coordination and cooperation between the Gulf and East Africa in terms of geo-economy, channel route security and port construction layout, and pay attention to reducing the risks of port politicisation and security.
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