The German Marshall Fund broadcast on 20 July 2021 a program titled "Chinese Investment in Global Ports and PRC Strategy," an interview of Isaac Kardon, US Naval War College, by Bonnie Glaser.
Chinese companies own or operate 95 port terminals globally, most of them in the Indian Ocean or eastern Mediterranean, for both commercial and strategic reasons. Of the 95 ports, 32 have hosted a port call by a PLA Navy vessel. China's motivation is access to markets and potentially PLAN access that may lead to dual access. China may not want to create a string of military bases as it has done in Djibouti. Rather, China seems to be creating a network of "strategic strong points" where it has more access and influence to protect Chinese interests.
