Geopolitical Interests of the People’s Republic of China in the Eastern Mediterranean

Over the past decade, the People’s Republic of China has emerged as one of the most influential actors on the international stage, expanding its economic, political, and strategic presence across nearly all regions of the world. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, represents the principal instrument through which Beijing projects its geoeconomic power and consolidates its global influence. In this context, the Eastern Mediterranean has become one of the most significant regions for China’s strategic outlook, combining clear geopolitical, economic, energy-related, and maritime advantages.

The Eastern Mediterranean’s position as a key maritime corridor linking Asia to Europe, its growing energy importance following the discovery of substantial natural resources, and its function as a major node of international trade make the region vital for the Maritime Silk Road. Consequently, China has significantly increased its presence through large-scale infrastructure investments, technological cooperation, economic agreements, and, in certain cases, limited security initiatives.

This study aims to examine China’s geopolitical interests in the Eastern Mediterranean by analyzing the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on its relations with the region’s principal states: Greece, Türkiye, Egypt, Israel, and Cyprus. Through an assessment of concrete infrastructure, port, energy, and technology projects, the study evaluates how these engagements are reshaping regional power dynamics and contributing to the expansion of China’s influence.