The Strategic Significance of Chinese Ports in Europe amidst EU De-Risking Policy

Abstract The article conducts analysis of the significance of the European Union (EU) EU ports in the face of foreign investments and the EU response. The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative have guided Chinese investments to build infrastructure projects in participating countries, connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. These include acquisitions of several ports within EU, which has contributed towards concerns over the economic independence and control over sensitive infrastructure. The EU has begun the implementation of various measures to safeguard strategic assets. The research utilizes primary sources in form of official reports, and national statistics. The paper argues that Chinese investments are predominantly commercial in nature and the Chinese investments might find themselves disproportionately disadvantaged against other investors predominantly. This is predominantly due to political, just as structural as significant portion of the Chinese foreign investment is spearheaded by state- or mixed-owned enterprises and investors, such as COSCO.