Infrastructure and geopolitics: China's emerging presence in the eastern mediterranean

China is building an economic presence in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean. Its involvement in major infrastructure projects is growing at a rapid pace and may have a significant impact on trade routes that traverse this strategically located region. This article outlines Chinese interests and activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and how these relate to geopolitical developments in the region. China's most important infrastructure project in the region is the modernization and expansion of the container port of Piraeus, Greece, but other port and railway projects are also being developed.