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Top US General in Europe Warns of China's Economic Control of Continent's
Ports

Carla Babb

   PENTAGON - The top U.S. commander in Europe is warning of daunting
   amounts of Chinese investment in European seaports and increases in
   Russian submarine activity outside of Europe.

   U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, commander of U.S. European Command and
   NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), testified at a Senate
   Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday that "China has access to 10%
   of the shipping rights into and out of Europe."

   "It is very alarming," Wolters said. "When you control the ability to
   take in and regulate resources, you have a large impact on what
   actually exists on the continent with respect to its ability to
   effectively generate peace and security."

   Wolters told lawmakers that China has invested an "economic majority"
   in seaports across Europe, including in NATO allies Belgium, Italy,
   France and Greece.

   European allies have been surprised and concerned by the degree of
   equities China holds with respect to seaports, according to the
   general.

   "In most cases '¦ vigilance increases once we get past the education
   stage," Wolters said.

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