2023-12-09 10:28:21
Beijing’s tactic to control those ports that escape its borders is not new, but its aggressiveness worsens as it is carried out. Asian capital investments continue to grow throughout the world, proof of this is – as ‘Faro de Vigo’, from the Prensa Ibérica group, already analyzed – its increasingly prominent footprint on the African continent, and also in Europe, with the participation of different Chinese companies in the container terminals of Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia. Only between 2004 and 2021, the People’s Republic of Xi Jinping channeled investments of more than 9.1 billion in infrastructure near community waters, a strong commitment that clashes with that made by foreign countries in its territory: none, zero, because it is not allowed. . The result? The greater submission of our strategic enclaves to foreign interests. Another added problem for Brussels.
Among the different agents who have raised the alarm, this situation has been reported by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) before the Ursula von der Leyen Commission. This consultative body of the Twenty-Seven, made up of representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations and other interest groups, has issued an opinion on maritime safety strategy in which makes evident its “concern” due to the “current dependence” of the member states on the gigantic eastern power.
In addition to confirming “the expansion of Chinese activities to the ports of several European countries,” The document sent to the executive arm of the EU calls its influence on these “critical infrastructures of the Union” “unacceptable”. and supports Strasbourg’s call for a roadmap to address it. “The risks of Chinese ownership of European ports include the possibility of the flow of goods between European ports being disrupted and access to confidential information being obtained on the operations of European container terminals”, he points out in this sense, adding next that it is crucial to pay more attention “to the consolidation of supply chains”, especially as a result of the “lessons learned” from the pandemic, when the main industrial and food supply lines “were seriously damaged.”
Sovereignty at stake
Europe not only risks its food sovereignty, as the fishing sector has highlighted on more than one occasion as a consequence of Brussels’ prohibitive policies regarding fish catches, which in many cases end up being imported from Beijing, of which the 637,000 tons valued at 1,820 are an example. million he bought in 2022; Europe also risks losing its logistical sovereignty if almighties such as China Ocean Shipping Company (Cosco), China Merchants Group Limited (CMG) or China Communications Construction take over strategic facilities in the block in the same way they have done in Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Namibia, Djibouti and Madagascar.
The EESC recognizes that the EU’s maritime security strategy must preserve its competitiveness, “by maintaining a strong strategic presence and improving the protection of legal maritime trade, as well as facilitating unrestricted sea movement.” “It is not possible to achieve a strong Union maritime security presence without an increase in investments by member states and a commitment to harness naval capabilities,” he says.
A surveillance center
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Along with these assessments – included in the opinion sent to the Commission and collected yesterday by the OJEU – the advisory body of the Twenty-seven calls for the “immediate development” of a centralized surveillance center “with the capacity to meet the needs of both civil and military actors”; the integration and coordination of existing information technology platforms and systems to facilitate the exchange of information within the European maritime sector, and “addressing cybersecurity threats at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).” In fact, remember that it is essential to provide seafarers with “access to professional retraining programs” so that they become familiar with automated systems and emerging technologies, “while acquiring the necessary skills to fight cyber threats.”
The EESC also expresses its concern that certain member states that have established “close ties” with China have “vetoed or watered down” recent EU statements on the Asian giant’s actions in the South China Sea. According to its document, approved in plenary at the end of September of this year with 153 votes in favor, it is “of vital importance that a PMC (coordinated maritime presence) be initiated in the South China Sea as a means to promote the stability of the region, demonstrate the Union’s commitment to the principle of freedom of navigation and support its own security and economic prosperity.
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