This interactive map tracks China’s growing maritime influence through investments in strategic overseas ports. Users can plot the location of each port and view satellite images alongside detailed information on the share of Chinese ownership, the total amount of Chinese investment, and the port’s suitability for use by the Chinese military.
The new container ship, OOCL Piraeus, docks at the Port of Piraeus in Greece in 2023. Xinhua via Getty Images
The China Overseas Ports interactive visualizes degrees of China’s overseas port ownership by types of investment across regions and time. It also evaluates the dual-use (commercial and military) potential of ports owned, constructed, or operated by Chinese entities. The database supporting this interactive includes 101 port projects of which Chinese entities have acquired varied equity ownership or operational stakes. China operates or has ownership in at least one port in every continent except Antarctica. Of the 101 projects, 92 are active, whereas the remaining 9 port projects have become inactive due to cancellation or suspension by the end of September 2023. Reasons for cancellation or suspension include environmental concerns, souring of political relations, financial problems, and security issues raised domestically and internationally. Suspended projects, such as China’s construction of the Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates, could resume construction.
92 Port projects total (port projects outside China with Chinese investment)
13 Port projects with majority Chinese ownership
10 Port projects with majority Chinese ownership where there is physical potential for naval use
Excludes cancelled port projectsChineseownership0–12.5%12.5–25%25–37.5%37.5–50%Over 50%The share of the port project that is owned by the Chinese government or Chinese companiesPhysicalpotential for naval useWhether the port project is located at a port that includes berths with enough depth for a naval vesselYesNoData is as of September 2023.
CVD 