NEW DELHI: Fishermen in coastal Argentina have watched bunches of foreign vessels systematically deplete their waters of squid. Thousands of miles away, communities in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province have struggled with rivers poisoned overnight by acidic waste from a mine.
Between these two seemingly unrelated crises is a common culprit: China. The country’s aggressive pursuit of strategic and economic ambitions has been marked by economic exploitation, ecological damage, and maritime aggression—regardless of geography.
As China rises as a global power, scrutiny of its strategies has intensified. It is widely believed that Beijing’s approach—characterised by use of debt traps, neglect of the environment, and military belligerence—threatens not just partner nations, but the world.
DEBT DIPLOMACY
Africa is a pivotal battleground in China’s economic expansion, exemplified by the controversial strategy known as “debt-trap diplomacy.” China extends large loans under opaque terms to economically vulnerable nations, often creating unsustainable debt burdens. When countries struggle to repay, China gains strategic leverage, influencing political and economic decisions.
Zambia, owing over $4 billion to Chinese creditors, illustrates this predicament vividly. One of Africa’s largest copper producers, the nation has relied heavily on Chinese investment to fund ambitious infrastructure and mining projects.
Yet, ironically, the very loans intended to promote Zambia’s economic independence have constrained its sovereignty, limiting its ability to enforce environmental and regulatory standards effectively.
This scenario repeats across Africa. Djibouti, which hosts China’s first overseas military base, and Kenya, burdened by debt from Chinese-funded infrastructure, have faced similar sovereignty concerns. According to the World Bank, approximately 40% of Africa’s low-income countries now face severe debt distress due to significant debts owed to Chinese lenders.
Although some African leaders, like South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, have defended China’s role in infrastructure development, the long-term economic independence of African nations remains deeply compromised by Beijing’s debt diplomacy strategy.
ENVIRONMENTAL RECKLESSNESS: ZAMBIA’S ECOLOGICAL CRISIS
China’s economic grip on African nations often coincides with weakened environmental governance, exemplified dramatically in Zambia’s recent ecological catastrophe. On February 18, 2025, a tailings dam operated by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia—a subsidiary of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group—collapsed, releasing around 50 million litres of toxic acidic waste into the Mwambashi River.
Overnight, the spill destroyed critical water supplies, killed wildlife, and devastated agricultural lands vital to local livelihoods.
President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration suspended Sino-Metals’ mining licence pending investigations, pledging accountability. However, many Zambians remain sceptical, pointing to a history of minimal oversight and frequent negligence by Chinese mining companies due to their significant economic influence.
Zambia’s dependence on Chinese capital has fostered regulatory complacency, allowing firms like Sino-Metals to repeatedly evade stringent environmental standards.
This pattern extends beyond Zambia. Chinese-run operations in Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and elsewhere have faced repeated accusations of environmental neglect, worker abuses, and regulatory avoidance, reinforcing perceptions of ecological colonialism—a new form of exploitation masked by economic partnership.
MARITIME AGGRESSION: CHINA’S ILLEGAL FISHING FLEETS
China’s strategic exploitation extends dramatically onto the high seas. Its vast distant-water fishing fleet, the largest globally, engages extensively in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Off Argentina’s coast alone, around 500 Chinese vessels annually exploit squid stocks, threatening marine biodiversity and local fishing communities.
These fleets employ aggressive fishing methods, illuminating waters to attract squid in unsustainable quantities. Vessels routinely evade detection by disabling their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), a clear hallmark of illegal fishing practices. The Environmental Justice Foundation’s 2024 report detailed severe human rights abuses aboard Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean, including forced labour and systematic illegal fishing, intensifying concerns over China’s disregard for international norms.
Affected nations, increasingly aware of the ecological and economic damages, have begun responding decisively. Argentina partnered with the United States Coast Guard to enhance maritime surveillance through Operation Griffon XVII. In the Indian Ocean, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission rejected China’s attempts to evade scrutiny, demanding greater accountability for Chinese fishing operations.
STRATEGIC RISKS: CHINA’S MARITIME MILITIA AND TECHNOLOGICAL THREATS
China’s maritime activities also encompass strategic military dimensions, notably its maritime militia—a civilian fleet covertly aligned with military objectives. Often disguised as fishing vessels, these ships perform surveillance, intelligence gathering, and territorial intimidation, particularly in sensitive areas such as the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Indian Navy, expressed serious concerns at the Raisina Dialogue on March 19, 2025, stating that India is closely monitoring Chinese vessels engaged in undeclared military work in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
“We have to ensure that we are ready to take on all the known challenges… We are reasonably prepared for something which is yet to come. But the nature of what is to come is already seen in large measure.”
According to Admiral Tripathi, China has now deployed seven to eight naval vessels on a permanent basis in the IOR, reinforcing its military presence.
China, already boasting of the world’s largest navy with 370 warships and submarines, has expanded its footprint into the Indian Ocean through a combination of naval deployments, spy ships, and maritime militia operations.
He also addressed the dangers posed by China’s strategic use of commercially accessible technologies, highlighting how dual-use technologies enable China’s maritime militia to expand its reach under the guise of civilian operations.
“Now earlier, when we were growing up in the navy, all the innovations in military domain happened either through state-sponsored R&D labs or big tech corporations… But now you could buy an idea or a technology online… you can assemble in a garage. You can thereafter do some minor adjustments using 3D printing… everything is available commercially.”
Admiral Tripathi stressed India’s proactive stance through the “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) initiative, pointing to the necessity of strengthening domestic technological capabilities and advocating enhanced international cooperation to counter these challenges.
TOWARDS A COORDINATED INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Addressing China’s multifaceted global predation demands a comprehensive and unified international response.
Economically vulnerable nations urgently need transparent financial assistance mechanisms, coupled with diversified investment strategies, to mitigate the risks of debt dependency. In parallel, environmental crises linked to China’s overseas ventures highlights the necessity for robust regulatory frameworks and rigorous enforcement to hold foreign investors fully accountable for ecological damages.
The growing maritime aggression also demands stronger international collaboration, expanded surveillance efforts, and fortified regional alliances such as the Quad, to enforce maritime law and protect oceanic resources.
Furthermore, the proliferation of dual-use technologies calls for enhanced global cooperation to monitor, regulate, and prevent misuse, fostering responsible technological practices.
Ultimately, confronting China’s global strategies requires addressing broader ethical dimensions involving national sovereignty, ecological sustainability, and responsible international engagement.
The international community stands at a critical juncture. Recognising that predatory practices masquerading as partnerships threaten not only individual nations but global stability itself is essential. To protect sovereignty, ecological integrity, and economic security, nations must act collectively, transparently, and decisively. This means reinforcing international norms, demanding accountability, and committing to sustainable, ethical global governance.
* Ashish Singh is an award-winning senior journalist with over 18 years of experience in defence & strategic affairs.