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2026-04-14

Why Did China Buy Up the World’s Ports?

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Foreign Policy

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Related AidData Experts

Lea Thome

Program Manager

Alex Wooley

Director of Partnerships and Communications

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Policy Report

Anchoring Global Ambitions: Beijing’s Ports Financing and the Race for Maritime Dominance

2026-03-04

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Chinese-financed Port Infrastructure

AidData's Chinese-Financed Ports Overseas and Related Terminals (CPORTS) Dataset, Version 2.0, 2000-2025

This dataset tracks nearly $24 billion in Chinese state-directed loans and grants for 363 seaport-related projects supporting 168 ports in 90 countries from 2000 to 2025.

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March 4, 2026

China’s $24 billion in ports financing encircles the globe, reaching 90 countries

New AidData report and dataset provide the clearest picture yet of Beijing’s race for maritime dominance.