China’s Foothold in Peru’s Strategic Port Infrastructures
The development of key maritime infrastructures in Peru has been lately in the eye of the storm. The case of the construction of the Port of Chancay within the Belt and Road Initiative has been presented as an extremely strategic infrastructure for Peru, while serving Chinese aims to access key raw materials and agricultural commodities markets in the region. Yet, disputes over Chinese state-owned Cosco Shipping exclusivity right over operations in the port and the increasing Chinese presence and control in other infrastructures in Peru have been criticised by the US. The Chinese foothold in the country is indeed seen as a menace to Peru’s national security.