TY - JOUR
T1 - Identifying and explaining the distribution of Chinese-Affiliated Ports around the world: A case control design
T2 - A case control design
AU - Spencer, M. Dylan
AU - Christiansen, Emilie
AU - Pires, Stephen F.
AU - Tsai, Chi-Heng
AU - Gondhali, Ulhas
AU - Petrossian, Gohar A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/10
Y1 - 2025/10
N2 - Chinese investment in port infrastructure has expanded significantly worldwide, raising concerns about its broader geopolitical and economic implications. This exploratory study, the first of its kind to build a global database of Chinese-affiliated ports, examines these investments through the lens of security and economic instability. Using a case-control design and data from 133 countries, we analyze why certain countries have been selected for Chinese port investments while others have not. Our findings suggest that investment decisions are shaped by a combination of strategic, economic, and political factors, with ports in piracy prone regions and economically vulnerable countries more likely to receive investment. By modeling the sub-themes of security and economic instability, this study provides a nuanced understanding of China's port investments and their implications for global maritime policy. Specifically, we recommend that host countries adopt stronger regulatory frameworks and diversify their foreign investments to mitigate security risks and economic dependencies linked to Chinese-affiliated ports.
AB - Chinese investment in port infrastructure has expanded significantly worldwide, raising concerns about its broader geopolitical and economic implications. This exploratory study, the first of its kind to build a global database of Chinese-affiliated ports, examines these investments through the lens of security and economic instability. Using a case-control design and data from 133 countries, we analyze why certain countries have been selected for Chinese port investments while others have not. Our findings suggest that investment decisions are shaped by a combination of strategic, economic, and political factors, with ports in piracy prone regions and economically vulnerable countries more likely to receive investment. By modeling the sub-themes of security and economic instability, this study provides a nuanced understanding of China's port investments and their implications for global maritime policy. Specifically, we recommend that host countries adopt stronger regulatory frameworks and diversify their foreign investments to mitigate security risks and economic dependencies linked to Chinese-affiliated ports.
KW - Belt and road initiative
KW - China
KW - GIS
KW - Hurdle regression
KW - Port security
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107819
U2 - 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107819
DO - 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107819
M3 - Article
SN - 0964-5691
VL - 269
JO - Ocean and Coastal Management
JF - Ocean and Coastal Management
M1 - 107819
ER -