China's Mediterranean policy at XI Jinping Era

Even they had some decent times, China has managed to maintain its position as one of the world's strength center throughout the entire recorded world history. When we check out the People's Republic of China's today, we can see a president who has reached almost the same power as the country's founding leader Mao. With the governance of Xi Jinping, China is increasing its activities in world politics. Mediterranean region is also taking role in these activities and seen as a part of this policy. The Mediterranean region is geographically located at the connection point where Europe, Asia and Africa meet, and is located at the center of both land and maritime trade routes. Moreover, the rich underground resources of the Mediterranean region, economically and politically increases its importance. The region, which connects the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, hosts the Suez Canal, the Otranto Strait and the Canakkale Strait, is been holding almost one third of the world's maritime traffic. Mediterranean geography which plays a such big role in world trade and has a geopolitically critical importance is getting more attention from Jinping whose one of its fourteen principle is to raise and guarantee living standards in his country. The "Belt and Road" initiative is one of China's most important projects in recent years, plays a major role at their Mediterranean strategy. Within this initiative, the maritime trade has been increased with Greece and the trade through Greece's Piraeus port is been called "New Silk Road of China". Apart from Greece, China also has projects to enlarge maritime trade in countries such as Italy, Israel and Egypt.