The "New Silk Road" is an enormous Chinese international development project. It's a trade network that involves Asia, Africa, and Europe -- and more than 70 countries are already involved. It may turn the old world order upside down. China is investing in bridges, port facilities, railroads, and roads around the world. Beijing is spending several hundred billion euros on what it calls the "Silk Road Economic Belt." Chinese President Xi Jinping says the project will provide development opportunities and wealth for China and the entire world. Beijing will take the lead role in building this infrastructure network. After the financial crisis in Greece, no European country wanted to invest there -- but China saw an opportunity, and bought shares in the port of Piraeus. By 2016, Beijing owned a majority of shares. The Greek dockworkers' union still finds it hard to accept that the port no longer belongs to Greece. In 2019, Italy joined the Silk Road project -- and signed a memorandum of understanding with China on development of the port of Trieste. But critics warn that the "Silk Road" project will allow Beijing to spread its influence around the world. Europe is divided between those who favor such cooperation, and those who oppose it. Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2C0sMXyD80 ------------------------------------------------------------------- DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary. Subscribe to: DW Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW39zufHfsuGgpLviKh297Q DW Documental (Spanish): null DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو: (Arabic): null For more visit: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwdocumentary/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dw.stories We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G