Logistical Foundations of China’s Global Expansion: Threat or Opportunity for the Mediterranean Area?

Abstract

The Covid-19 health crisis, followed by the war between Russia and Ukraine, have highlighted the extent to which supply chains can be subject to external shocks that threaten the performance of global value chains. To cope with these disruptions and guarantee the continuity of logistical flows, China has embarked on an ambitious program to develop maritime and rail infrastructures, known as the One Belt, One Road project (or Belt and Road Initiative, BRI). This program aims to support China’s strategy of global market expansion and transform the country into the world’s leading power by 2049. The research note focuses on the specific case of the Mediterranean area, which has given rise to a massive investment strategy in ports under the BRI. There is a real threat that Chinese products will invade European markets, but it is possible to imagine that the BRI port facilities will also allow SMEs from the Mediterranean area to access these markets more easily. This research note proposes a reflection on the strategic issues of the BRI for the Mediterranean area in the coming years.