China will gray in Latin American ports. “More than it seemed”

The influence of Chinese companies in the ports of Latin America and the Caribbean are much larger than thought; The blockade of one of them could cost a US economy over $ 100 million a day, “Financial Times said, quoting the findings of the Washington Think Tank CSIS.

In total, 31 of the ports operating in the Latin American and Caribbean region, from Mexico and Jamaica to Chile, were built by Chinese companies or are managed by them – CSIS informed in a report transferred to “FT” before the official publication.

The US authorities are increasingly concerned about the possible consequences of China's influence on critical infrastructure in Latin America, including ports, mines and telecommunications networks. These influence has increased significantly in the last two decades.

CSIS came to the conclusion that the number of ports in the region in which China has influence, it is more than twice as high as it would appear from previous American findings – said the British daily.

This number was included Seven ports managed by the Hong Kong Konglomerate CK Hutchinson. The administration of US President Donald Trump raised the issue of the threat related to this group's control on both sides of the Panama Canal. As a result of this pressure, CK Hutchinson agreed to sell them to a subsidiary of the American company Blackrock and Mediterranean Shipping Company based in Geneva.

However, according to CSIS, the Chinese influence in the ports of Jamaica and Mexico pose an even greater threat to US national security, taking into account the number of goods passing through them, as well as the action of the American jacket and close distance from American military installations and strategic points.

The most burdened risk in the western hemisphere was the port of Kingston in Jamaica. He goes through a huge amount of commercial goods, is located in a country that is a strategic US ally and is controlled by China Merchants Port, a group belonging to the (Chinese) state – believes Henry Ziemer, the main author of the CSIS analysis.

The ports in Manzanillo and Veracruz in Mexico, managed by CK Hutchinson, were considered the next list of US security. “The USA is enormous of trading with these ports. If there were disturbances in Manzanillo, it would cost the American economy $ 134 million a dayand in the case of Veracruz it would be $ 63 million a day, “Ziemer said.

The concerns relate to the possibilities of using ports by China to disturb American trade, cut off access to them for American fleet ships in the event of a conflict between the USA and China, as well as the possibility of supplying Chinese ships. The analysis took into account both these threats and the estimated size of Beijing's influence on individual ports.

China authorities rejected the accusations that CK Hutchinson control over the ports on the Panama Canal could allow Beijing to threaten the US national security. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed such claims as “spreading gossip and starting trouble” to take control of the channel. Beijing also criticized the planned sale of these ports, while raising arguments regarding the safety of China.

“The statements of China themselves about the contract concluded by Hutchinson show the importance they attach to controlling these ports. Ports also give Beijing a huge amount of information about transported goods” – noted Zierm. (PAP)

Wia/ Mal/