Beijing’s tactic of controlling ports escaping its borders is not new, but its aggression is only getting worse as it is implemented. Asian capital investments continue to grow globally; The proof of this is the increasingly prominent footprint on the African continent, as Faro de Vigo of the Prensa Ibérica group has previously analyzed; and also in Europe, with the participation of different Chinese companies in container terminals Barcelona, Bilbao or Valencia. Between 2004 and 2021 alone, the People’s Republic of Xi Jinping invested more than 9.1 billion in infrastructure near community waters; This is a strong commitment that contradicts the commitments of foreign countries on its territory: none, zero, because it is not allowed. . Conclusion? Further surrender of our strategic regions to foreign interests. Another problem has been added for Brussels.
Among the different agents that raised the alarm, this was reported as follows: European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Before the Ursula von der Leyen Commission. This advisory body of the Twenty-Seven, consisting of representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations and other interest groups, published an opinion on the maritime security strategy. It clearly reveals its “concern” arising from the “current dependence” of member states on the huge eastern power.
In addition to confirming that “China’s activities have been expanded into the ports of many European countries” The document, sent to the EU’s executive arm, states that the EU’s influence on “these critical infrastructures of the Union” is “unacceptable”. and supports Strasbourg’s call for a roadmap to address this problem. “The risks of China owning European ports include: Possibility of disrupting the flow of goods between European ports and gaining access to confidential information He draws attention in this sense by saying “it concerns the operations of European container terminals” and then adds that it is vital to pay more attention to the “consolidation of supply chains”, especially as a result of the “lessons learned” from the pandemic, when major industry and food supply lines were “severely damaged.”
Europe is not only putting its food sovereignty at risk, As the fishing industry has emphasized more than once as a result of Brussels’ prohibitive policies on fishing; In most cases, these fish are imported from Beijing, such as the 637,000 tons worth 1,820 million purchased in 2022; Europe is also in danger of losing its logistics sovereignty If powerful companies such as China Ocean Shipping Company (Cosco), China Merchants Group Limited (CMG) or China Communications Construction take over strategic facilities in the block The same was done in Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Namibia, Djibouti and Madagascar.
The EESC recognizes that the EU’s maritime security strategy must maintain competitiveness by “maintaining a strong strategic presence and enhancing the protection of legal maritime trade, as well as facilitating unrestricted maritime movement”. “It is not possible to achieve a strong presence of the Union in maritime security without increasing investment by member states and a commitment to use their maritime capabilities,” he says.
a detention center
In addition to these assessments, included in the opinion sent to the Commission and convened by the CJEU yesterday, the advisory body of the Twenty-seven demands the “immediate development” of an EU Commission. a central surveillance center “capable of meeting the needs of both civilian and military actors”; Integration and coordination of existing information technology platforms and systems to facilitate the exchange of information within the European maritime sector; and “addressing threats cyber security It is in the International Maritime Organization (IMO).” In fact, note that it is important to provide seafarers with “access to professional retraining programs” to familiarize them with automated systems and emerging technologies. “While gaining the skills necessary to combat cyber threats.”
The EESC also expresses its own opinion. Concern that some member states that have established “close relations” with China are “vetoing or diluting” the EU’s latest statements About the actions of the Asian giant in the South China Sea. According to the document, approved by the plenary at the end of September this year with 153 votes in favour, “it is vital to launch a PMC (coordinated naval presence) in the South China Sea as a way of promoting stability.” The protection of the region should demonstrate the Union’s commitment to the principle of freedom of navigation and It must promote its own security and economic well-being.