In response to escalating tensions with Russia in Eastern Europe, NATO officials are reportedly discussing the possibility of reclaiming Chinese-owned infrastructure projects in Europe, according to three officials involved in the discussions, CNN reports. The concern arises from fears that Beijing could utilize these infrastructure investments to provide material support to Russia if the conflict expands.

A decade ago, when Europe was still recovering from the global financial crisis, Chinese-owned investment firms offered significant infrastructure funding to European nations, seen as a major economic boost. However, with the current largest land war in Europe since World War II and Western countries raising concerns over China's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, these investments are now viewed as potential liabilities.

NATO countries are beginning to explore ways to reclaim some of these projects to prevent any possible collaboration between China and Russia in the event of an expanded conflict. The goal is to establish a plan well in advance, preparing for any potential escalation.

The discussions reflect NATO's heightened focus on China, as evidenced by the joint declaration released during the Washington 75th anniversary summit. The declaration strongly criticized Beijing's support for Moscow, signaling a more robust stance against China compared to previous references in 2023.

While the discussions on infrastructure action are still in the early stages, varying levels of involvement among NATO member countries have been observed. It has been suggested that the United States, spearheading these discussions, may need to pursue bilateral agreements to secure the necessary support from NATO allies.

China's ambitious Belt & Road Initiative has funded billions of dollars in infrastructure investments in Europe, including rail lines connecting Eastern Europe to China and ports in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. A NATO official stated that if a war were to erupt, the infrastructure projects would likely be nationalized or temporarily placed under the control of the nations involved, under emergency security measures. Any legal disputes with China could be resolved in court after the fact.

To support their intentions, US officials point to past instances where European nations forced Russia to sell assets following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. For example, Finland's repeated blocking of the business of Helsinki Shipyard led to Russia selling the company to a Canadian entity in late 2023.

Furthermore, discussions have expanded beyond low-tech infrastructure to include high-tech interests such as quantum computing, semiconductors, and telecom infrastructure. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the interconnectedness of global security, emphasizing that the conflict in Ukraine has led European and Asian nations to recognize the significance of their shared security challenges.

However, France, along with other countries, reportedly sought to shift the discussions on infrastructure to the European Union, which holds authority over economic matters. This tension impacted the language in the joint declaration, with some countries arguing that NATO may not be the best platform to address the China challenge. Nevertheless, many NATO member states continue to express genuine concerns about the potential threat of Chinese-owned assets and advocate for defense measures against such situations.

During the NATO forum, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that Beijing must face consequences for its support of Russia on the Ukrainian battlefield. As discussions progress, the focus remains on safeguarding European infrastructure from potential collaboration between China and Russia amidst ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe.