The Sino-Greek relations in the 21st century: challenges and the role of the BRI

Tese para a obtenção do grau de mestra em Relações InternacionaisThis dissertation analyses the progress of the Sino-Greek relations during the 21st century, seeking to highlight the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative and the European Union-China relations. Since the mid-2000s, there has been a significant improvement in the Sino-Greek economic, political and cultural relations. The flagship symbol of the Sino-Greek “friendship” is undoubtedly COSCO’s investment in the Piraeus Port in 2016 under the BRI. Nevertheless, over the last years there has been an attenuation in the Sino-Greek relations. The deterioration of the diplomatic EU-China relations has had an important influence. In this framework, and applying a qualitative methodological approach, this dissertation intends to a) examine the evolution of the Sino-Greek relations during the 21st century, b) explain the impact of the BRI, c) present the impact of the current EU-China relations and d) discuss the perspectives for the Sino-Greek relations. 2 This dissertation seeks to enrich the current literature of the Sino-Greek bilateral relations. Through our dissertation we carried out a critical analysis of the Sino-Greek relations, in the light of two significant actual variables that have been defining the relations between Greece and China, the BRI and the EU-China relations. Furthermore, this study aims to highlight the case of Greece as a useful laboratory to comprehend the future relations of other EU’s states with China. The dissertation concludes that firstly, the BRI had a significant impact on the development of the Sino-Greek relations during the 21st century. But the BRI can’t guarantee the further development of the Sino-Greek ties. Secondly the dissertation concludes that the deteriorated EU-China diplomatic relations have an impact on the Sino-Greek ties. But Greece wants to strike a balance between China and its Western allies, keeping the friendly tone of the Sino-Greek relations and avoiding to jeopardize its relations with its Western partners.N/

China’s Expanding Province in Caribbean Affairs: The Drivers of Port Infrastructure Development in the Caribbean Community under the Aegis of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative

Port infrastructure and its affiliated services are the key drivers of economic growth particularly when consideration is given to the reality that over 80 % of the world’s merchandize trade by volume is transshipped by sea. The status quo is especially relevant to Member States of the Caribbean Community (hereinafter, CARICOM). First and foremost, this region is comprised mainly of island states. Secondly, it is nestled at the intersection of the world’s primary North-South and East-West trade flows making it a key maritime highway. Thirdly, it is home to roughly 351 ports, 15 oil refineries and 51 tank terminals while hosting three separate categories of ports - specialized ports that cater for single commodities; public ports which are open to all types of cargo, and by no means the least, transshipment centers. Of late, increasing demands have been placed on the region’s port communities by the booming cruise ship and yachting industries. Nonetheless, despite the exceptional geographic providence of the region, across-the-board low growth rates, fiscal stress, elevated debt levels, and declines in international reserves have placed serious constraints on the economies of CARICOM Member States. Most importantly, inherent structural gaps in port infrastructure in tandem with the undercapitalization of port facilities have been identified as key constraints to trade performance impeding investment opportunities. The Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI) promoted by China which is an integral component the country’s ‘Go Global’ policy is an ambitious trans-regional scheme that is specially configured to promote interconnectivity and economic agglomeration which are critical imperatives among Caribbean Community members at this juncture. What’s more, MSRI has a heavy infrastructural dimension. This study argues that MSRI holds reciprocal advantages for China and the Caribbean Community.   Among the advantages is development of port communities in the region which will fulfill China’s relentless drive for trade promotion, strengthened connectivity, access to strategically key resources, as well as enhanced regional and global competitiveness given the region’s proximity to the United States and Central and South America. The Chinese business model on which MSRI is built guarantees client governments ease of access to funding while building their respective domestic infrastructural capacities:  Chinese ground plans typically take the form of closely coordinated projects facilitated by clusters of inter-related state-controlled corporations and Chinese policy banks which are reputed for high-speed delivery untypical of Western multilateral bodies like the World Bank. The study concludes that if judiciously managed by Caribbean governments, port infrastructure development under the aegis of the Maritime Silk Road Initiative holds transformative potential for the region in light of the dire need for investment, diversification and trade facilitation which are indispensable to economic take-off

The diplomatic context between China and Panama and their agreements

n 2017, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela established official ties with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), deepening such diplomacy without disclosing why, exactly, his government had broken its long-standing relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) in favor of those with the PRC, what commitments his government had made to the PRC, and how he planned to handle the PRC’s strategic interests. China’s objectives, however, are clear. Beijing knows the strategic value of relations with Panama, particularly through its multi-trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Panamanian side, meanwhile, negotiated hastily in a process without consultation, leaving their country in a lurch. Accordingly, Panamanian now need to do the work—to evaluate Panama-PRC agreements, involve all relevant sectors, and move forward according to the country’s best interests. This study analyzes Chinese diplomacy with a focus on Latin America, as well as the content of the PRC’s 47 agreements with Panama, ultimately offering a path forward for Panama

Impact of China\u27s One Belt One Road Initiative at Different Geographical Scales

China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR), proposed in 2013, is an ambitious initiative that aims at enhancing connectivity and integrating economies across countries. This thesis, by tracing its mechanism at three different geographical scales---global, national, and local, analyzes its multidimensional impact at each scale. It shows that at a global scale, OBOR is in the form of competing narratives over its global impact and nature; at a national scale, OBOR is represented as economic corridors, aiming at improving infrastructures, increasing multilateral trade, integrating financial systems, and strengthening cultural ties; and at a local scale, OBOR exerts an impact on multiple landscapes of land port, an important node of transition along economic corridors