China and the Portuguese Atlantic: The BRI’S Last Puzzle Piece

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the general study of Chinese investment in the European Union (EU) and, in particular, on the new interests involving Portuguese maritime assets. The European continent has gained strategic importance for Beijing in the sequence of the debt crisis and the Chinese political tensions with Washington. After a first wave of investment that went into the acquisition of assets in companies, the Portuguese government has sought to attract Chinese investment to facilities in Portugal. One of the main objectives is to extend the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to the “Portuguese Sea”, particularly the port of Sines or even islands in Azores. Some analysts have shown considerable concern by the fact that the Portuguese infrastructure’s control by China means sensitive security vulnerabilities for euro-Atlantic axis. The authors seek to assess the strategic value of Portuguese maritime assets and evaluate the interests and geopolitical variables included in this framework.