China is investing in strategic projects all over the world to ensure it has free access to commercial goods. In this regard, it has been investing in the Asian countries – Gwadar Port, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, and Kyaukpyu Port in Myanmar – which have been dubbed as ‘String of Pearls’ by the West. However, the recent inauguration of the $3.5 billion Chancay port complex, 80 kilometers south of capital Lima, Peru, in South America by Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sideline of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum sent shock waves across the globe. For the West, it symbolizes China’s growing clout in the world. But for China, it represents free flow of commercial goods without any fear of restrictions/ban by the United States and the West.

The Chancay port is owned by Hong Kong Listed COSCO Shipping Ports with 60% of stakes and a 30-year concession to manage the facility. It is well equipped to handle largest container vessels as well due availability of ample depth of 17.8 meters.

The United States and the West are well aware of the Mahan dictums that who so ever control the sea control the world.

China regards it as a port of ‘connectivity’ between China and Peru as well as the entire South America while the United States has advised a veiled caution to the Latin American nations about Chinese investments. Peru is the fastest economies of the region and the fourth largest partner of China in bilateral trade which stood around $36 Billion in 2023. The added advantage of the Chancay port for China is that Chile, Colombia and Ecuador can now bypass ports in Mexico and the US for their trade in Asia. It’s a new addition to the Chinese Road and Belt Initiative (BRI) for enhancing trade and obviously Chinese influence.

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Although China is the world’s second largest economy, it is still way behind the US as the hegemonic state managing the world affairs. However, the United States has its own fears of China due its seaward economic expansion.

The United States and the West are well aware of the Mahan dictums that who so ever control the sea control the world. First the West and then the US have also followed the same. Colonization of the Third World in the 17th and 18th centuries by the UK, France, Portugal, Spain and others was possible due their control of sea in their own domains. After the World War II, the US has established its bases all around the globe. Today, it is proudly boasting holding around 100 overseas bases in one form or another. These bases and the vast US naval and air fleet are helping it managing dominance in the world against other competitors. Apparently, its competitors respect the same as of today, but for how long, it isn’t a safe guess.

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China, however, seems to be following the Mahan’s policy from its own perspective in the form of its economic control of sea. Its BRI concept is now seeping deeply in Asia, Europe and Latin America. China as per political pundits has earmarked the mid of the current century as its yawning point. Its present endeavors are testimony of the same or at least it seems to the West.

It’s also a fact that the nature nurtures change. Like the fifth extinctions, the word affairs have also been dominated by different regimes in the recorded history – from the Greeks to Rome, Byzantines to Arabs, Turks to modern Europe and from Europe to the US. It is, thus, natural that the world order is a changing process. How and when is the only question?

The only logical contestant is China. In spite of China’s apparent claim to the contrary and its economic inclusivity doctrine, its growing economic influence is a thorn in the eyes of West and this thorn is likely to be more painful in times to come due to continued economic prosperity of the China. Only time is the judge.