1st Edition

Chinese Overseas Ports in Southeast and South Asia Cutting Through the Froth

Edited By Jean-Marc F. Blanchard Copyright 2025
    206 Pages 13 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This book examines PRC “involved” seaports overseas, where involvement can take the form of PRC foreign direct investment (FDI), contracting, and/or terminal operations, in countries such as Cambodia, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

    Including country-oriented chapters the book sheds light on inter alia the realization (or not) of Chinese seaports, the effects of Chinese participation on port performance, trade, FDI, employment, and the environment, and the wider economic, political, and other ramifications of China’s role. Importantly, the case studies in the book clearly demonstrate that amongst these ports there are successes and failures, positive or negative effects are not preordained, and domestic and international political factors notably influence what occurs in these overseas ports. The book also illuminates the critical role of 3rd parties (including India) in shaping the dynamics of China’s participation in Southeast and South Asian ports and evaluate the potential for Chinese-involved ports to become naval bases.

    Presenting contributions from experts on Southeast and South Asia and utilising rich empirical data to reveal the factors that are driving China's participation overseas this book will appeal to students and scholars of Asian and Southeast Asian studies, international relations, particularly through the lens of economic relations.

    1. Chinese Overseas Ports in Southeast and South Asia: Connecting the Dots

    Jean-Marc F. Blanchard and Chaitanya Pasupala

    2. China’s Involvement in Cambodian Ports and its Impacts with Special Attention to Dara Sakor

    Hakheng Ung, Sokvy Rim, and Sovinda Po

    3. The Specter of the Maritime Silk Road in the Philippines: Duterte’s Political Calculus and Elite Coalitions across Chinese Ports

    Alvin Camba and Tianyue Steven Gu

    4. Chinese Seaports in Myanmar: Understanding Success and Stagnation

    Maung Aung Myoe

    5. Chinese Involvement in Bangladesh Seaports: A Window into the Evolving Economic Relationship

    Mustafizur Rahman, Razon Chandra Saha, and Jean-Marc F. Blanchard

    6. Gwadar Seaport, Pakistan

    Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla (Ret). And Jabin T. Jacob

    7. In the Dragons’ Wake: India’s Response to Chinese Maritime Activities in South and Southeast Asia

    Christopher K. Colley

    8. Operational Factors Informing Chinese Naval Port Access in South and Southeast Asia

    Captain Brent D. Sadler (Ret.)

    Biography

    Jean-Marc F. Blanchard is Founding Executive Director at the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations, USA.