Berlin appears to be considering expanding its strategic partnership with Chinese giant Cosco beyond Hamburg, and in particular to the key port of Piraeus for international shipping, in which the Chinese giant is already a majority shareholder. This follows from a journalistic investigation by the two German networks NDR and WDR, based on an internal German government document that mentions these scenarios for joint investments between Berlin and Beijing in Piraeus. The document in question states that Chinese investment in the port of Hamburg could be just the beginning of Cosco’s entry into major joint investment projects with Germany.

According to government figures posted on the website taggeschau.de of Germany’s first television program, the Chinese state giant is not going to stop at simply taking a share of the port of Hamburg’s equity, but more could follow. , German-Chinese investment plans in other important European ports.

According to the mentioned investigative journalism, the German government seems to be considering a new expanded strategy for German-Chinese cooperation outside of Germany, in the areas of the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. However, there is no official confirmation and refutation after the leak of the relevant information. In fact, as early as 2020, the German government is reportedly considering a collaboration between the German company operating the port of Hamburg HHLA and Cosco in the key port of Piraeus for international shipping, where the Chinese company is already a majority shareholder. Similar investment opportunities are also being considered for the ports of the flagship cities of Gdansk and Gdynia. However, at the moment, neither the German government nor the Port of Hamburg management company confirms or denies the exclusive report.

The German government appears to be considering a new expanded strategy for German-Chinese cooperation.

With regard to investments specifically in the Mediterranean and therefore in Piraeus, a representative of the German investment side said that he did not comment on “rumors circulating in the market.” Regarding the future of Sino-German strategic relations, he also said that information about the content of contracts and other agreements with partners could not be provided.

However, everything shows that various kinds of “memorandums of cooperation” are being launched between the second largest economy in the world and the largest economy in Europe. The fact is that after negotiations and acute tensions between the six relevant ministries and the Chancellery, the German government finally approved the plan for Cosco’s participation in the port of Hamburg with a share of 24.9%, not 35%, as originally proposed.

The relevant ministries were the ones who characterized the extremely high rate of 35%, and as they pointed out, this would give the Chinese giant “blackmail opportunities”, as shown in the report. Finally, according to journalistic data, already in 2020 and 2021, two companies, Cosco and HHLA, entered into two non-legally binding “memorandums of cooperation”. They provided, among other things, the possibility of “joint consultations on possible future projects and cooperation within the framework of a strategic partnership.” It should be noted that this agreement with Cosco was reached in October under pressure from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who also promoted a corresponding compromise solution. Everything suggests that Germany is persistently looking for allies and partners after the rupture of its long-term strategic alliance with Russia and the ensuing problems that deal consistent blows to its economy. Berlin’s aspirations were, after all, clear at the time when a compromise solution was reached over the port of Hamburg, followed by a visit to Beijing by the German chancellor, accompanied by many businessmen.

International media have pointed out that for Germany, China is also a potential solution to the energy crisis. From another point of view, however, the fact is that all this is happening at a time when Washington has been and continues to pressure the Europeans to follow him on the path of leaving the second world economy, and not to strengthen the position of Cosco in Geria Epirus. However, it is clear that China is still invading Europe, its infrastructure and technology.