【By Chen Sijia, Observer Net】On November 27 local time, the Greek parliament voted to pass two amendments allowing the US Onex company to expand its operations in the Elefsina port in Greece. According to a report by France's Le Monde, the Elefsina port is adjacent to China's largest port in Greece, Piraeus port, and is a focus of US investment in the shipping sector. The US aims to use this port to "counter Chinese influence."

Onex acquired the Elefsina shipyard in 2020 and received $125 million in financing from the US International Development Finance Corporation in 2023. The amendments passed by the Greek parliament will grant Onex the opportunity to acquire an additional 40 hectares of land near the Elefsina port and expand its business beyond shipbuilding, covering commercial, logistics, port, energy, and defense sectors.

The Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini cited a Greek official as saying that these measures help upgrade the Elefsina shipyard and advance the US government's goal of "competing with the China-operated Piraeus port." Greek Minister for Development Takis Theodorikakos said last week: "Through strengthening strategic cooperation with the US, Greece can become an energy hub and promote economic transformation."

Due to the proximity of the Elefsina port to an air force base, logistics center, railway, and highway, as well as its adjacency to Piraeus port, the US government highly values investment in this port, aiming to "offset Chinese influence in the Mediterranean." Experts stated that the Elefsina port could also be used for transporting sensitive goods, military equipment, or advanced equipment.

Elefsina port area and shipyard, Le Monde

US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly K. Gifford claimed on November 14: "I believe that the US involvement in infrastructure development locally is crucial to supporting the region. In fact, it might be possible to balance Chinese influence at Piraeus port by increasing output from other ports and regions." She also incited Sino-Greek relations, stating that she hopes China withdraws from Piraeus port.

Additionally, the US has shown interest in the Volos port in central Greece and the Alexandroupolis port near the Black Sea. The Alexandroupolis port has a US military base and a liquefied natural gas receiving station. The US hopes to use this as a "platform" to compete with Russian gas supplies in the Balkans.

However, the Greek government's plans have raised concerns among the country's opposition parties, who fear that it will involve Greece in the "competition between China and the US." On November 27, the left-wing opposition in the Greek parliament pointed out that the Elefsina port cooperation project may increase Greece's dependence on the US.

Regarding the US investment plan, Vassilis Korkidis, president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce, stated: "The Elefsina port will not directly compete with Piraeus port, but rather complement it. The scale of these two ports cannot be compared; the annual turnover of Piraeus port's cargo and port services is 235 million euros, while Elefsina port is only 5 million euros."

Piraeus port is the largest port in Greece and an important hub in the Mediterranean, serving as a transshipment port for ships heading to the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Black Sea. It is not only a key maritime hub for international trade, but also a model of the China-Greece "Belt and Road" project.

In 2016, China COSCO Shipping acquired 67% equity in the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA), becoming the operator of the entire port. Under the operation of China COSCO Shipping, the port has developed rapidly. Not only did it create numerous jobs during Greece's economic recovery difficulties, but it also significantly improved the logistics efficiency between China and Europe.

Regarding the US attempt to incite Sino-Greek relations, the Chinese Embassy in Greece stated on November 19 that China and Greece are good friends who have supported each other through hardship, and good partners of mutual benefit. The cooperation between the two countries is based on mutual support, without any geopolitical calculations, neither targeting a third party nor influenced by a third party. When Greece was experiencing a debt crisis, China extended a helping hand, enabling Piraeus port to overcome difficulties and develop into a leading large port in the Mediterranean and Europe, creating tens of thousands of jobs and bringing significant economic benefits to Greece. The success of the Piraeus port project is not only a model of Sino-Greek commercial cooperation, but also a testament to the solidarity and mutual assistance between the people of the two countries during difficult times. In the future, Chinese enterprises will continue to increase investments, working together with the hardworking and wise Greek people to build the Piraeus port better.

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