China recently announced plans to build up ports in Vanuatu, a small south Pacific Island nation off the Northeast Coast of Australia that could lead to significant duel use by Chinese merchant ships and naval vessels.
SUMMARY
China recently announced plans to build up ports in Vanuatu, a small south Pacific Island nation off the Northeast Coast of Australia that could lead to significant duel use by Chinese merchant ships and naval vessels. Additionally, investments into Brunei, Pakistan, and Djibouti ports signify Beijing’s determination to move China’s largest infrastructure plan forward resulting in significant strategic benefits when implemented. Recently, multiple research institutes and news sources have highlighted the strategic impact of China’s One Belt One Road Initiative (or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)). China’s financial and logistic involvement in a proposed 15 port projects signals a strategy that would not only offer economic benefits, but build political and military influence in the regions involved. This would give China more leverage to counter U.S. influence in each of the regions. Launched in late 2013, the program currently has 60 countries that have agreed to be involved and will connect 65% of the world population.
FAO GLOBAL ASSESSMENT
Economic investment in order to garner good graces or build leverage in foreign states is a common tactic among sovereign states, and is certainly not new for China. Government initiatives and ambitious entrepreneurs (many with state support) have been actively investing into infrastructure projects for many years now. With access to ports through out the Indo-Pacific, China will be in a better position to make headway in its maritime security goals, such as its claims to a number of island chains. Diversified supply routes further reinforce China’s interest in securing economic, military, and political interests. Opportunities lay in resupply contracts and services supporting the various port projects.
Related Links
- US NEWS – China’s Silk Road Security Goals
- Business Insider – China’s Belt and Road Infrastructure Project
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