Press Releases

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of H.R. 8683, the Strategic PRC Port Mapping Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to monitor efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to build, buy, or own strategic ports that provide capabilities for military, diplomatic, economic, or resource exploration superiority over the United States.

The Strategic PRC Port Mapping Act will provide an analysis of:

• Commercial, military, and dual-use capabilities of ports owned, constructed, or operated by Chinese entities
• Ongoing PRC port projects, suspended projects, and canceled projects
• Ports that utilize PRC-manufactured infrastructure
• Ports that have been the victims of cyber-attacks originating inside or by the direction of the PRC

“The Chinese Communist Party continues to advance economic and military objectives that undermine the security of the United States,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “The Strategic PRC Port Mapping Act provides an opportunity to evaluate and counter this growing concern. Expansion by the Chinese Communist Party into the Western Hemisphere and strategic purchasing of ports across the globe are challenges that Republicans and Democrats must confront in order to put American interests first.”

Background:

As a companion to the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Maritime Silk Road to take a dominating stake in the global economy. As of September 2023, China has signed 70 bilateral and regional shipping agreements with 66 countries and even has investments in critical ports in the United States.

For example, in 2019, COSCO Shipping, a Chinese state-owned multinational conglomerate, started developing a $3.6 billion deep-water megaport in Chancay, Peru, which COSCO will reportedly have exclusive rights over. Once finished, goods could travel from Chancay to Shanghai in less than 3 weeks, significantly reducing travel time and creating a significant opportunity for the PRC to expand their market presence in the Western Hemisphere.

Additionally, the PRC manages ports at both ends of the Panama Canal. The likelihood of the PRC leveraging its port infrastructure in the future to affect the flow of goods globally remains a significant challenge for the U.S. While many of these investments are portrayed as commercial relationships, the PRC’s global reach is cause for concern as many of these ports have the potential to be used for military purposes.