Chinese political investment warning

In a report looking at maritime investments made as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to increase infrastructure connectivity in Asia, C4ADS examines research produced by Chinese analysts who, it stated, “suggest” that ports investment can be used to build political influence and create ‘strategic support states’, while also being potential ‘strategic support points’ enabling the development of logistics hubs that support expanded military presence.

The authors of ‘Harbored Ambitions – How China’s Port Investments Are Strategically Reshaping the Indo-Pacific’, Devin Thorne and Ben Spevack, said: “If states do not heed the lessons of the Indo-Pacific, China will continue to pursue a security strategy that utilizes infrastructure investments to generate political influence, stealthily expand Beijing’s military presence, and create an advantageous strategic environment.”

Dual use investments

According to Mr Thorne and Mr Spevack, Chinese analysts prioritise securing China’s “core interests” over fostering economic development in the Indo-Pacific and maritime infrastructure investment is “inherently dual-use” and capable of furthering both business plans and military operations.

They said the analysts suggest that China can “preserve its access to vital SLOCs, circumvent the Malacca Dilemma, and overcome perceived containment by foreign powers.”

They added: “Beijing’s port investments yield strategic advantages, exhibit common control schemes, and manifest latent indicators of ulterior motives.”

The investments are “are both serving China’s national security interests and altering the strategic operating environment of the United States and its allies,” stressed Mr Thorne and Mr Spevack.