Is this an unintentional consequence of our anti Russia efforts or a willing plan to build up China? China has always done foreign investment different than we do. They don’t just give money. They take equity positions.
Beijing is gaining energy-leverage in the region that is comparable only to that which Moscow enjoyed during the Cold War.
While the nation has been laser focused on the president’s tweets and the first lady’s footwear, a geopolitical shift has been taking place in Europe that ought to scare us to our marrow. Without anybody paying much attention, China has vastly expanded its military and economic power in Eastern Europe. At stake is a critical region that the United States depends upon for trade and geopolitical support and as a buffer from both Russia and China.
The Chinese, on top of doing little to stop North Korea’s march toward a nuclear-armed missile, have already acquired a significant equity stake in the Greek Port of Piraeus. As you read this, they are also working diligently to obtain assets in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, including contracts for construction of nuclear power stations. Read more here.