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China, Djibouti in talks over naval operations base

A ship in Chinese waters/FILE

A ship in Chinese waters/FILE

CHINA, Nov 26 – China on Thursday confirmed it is in negotiations with Djibouti to build a logistics hub for military operations in the strategically vital African entrepot.

The announcement comes as Beijing seeks to expand its international security role, particularly in regions where it has significant economic interests, such as Africa.

The country is a top contributor of United Nations peacekeepers to the continent and has been involved in anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden.

“This facility will help Chinese vessels to better carry out UN operations, like the escort missions and humanitarian assistance”, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular briefing.

Hong shied away from describing the centre as a “military base”, but the comments came after US general David Rodriguez, the commander of US Africa Command, reportedly said that Beijing had signed a 10-year lease for the base, describing it as China’s first “military location” on the continent and adding it would “extend their reach.”

The US, France and Japan already have facilities in Djibouti, while Chinese officials say the country does not have any overseas military bases.

But Chinese contracts to build or manage Indian Ocean ports have raised concerns it is seeking to establish a so-called “string of pearls” in the region.

China’s anti-piracy and peacekeeping contributions have been seen as part of an effort by Beijing to improve operational capabilities as it builds a more modern, efficient army with the help of annual double-digit defence budget increases.

Developing a so-called “blue water” navy, able to operate far from Chinese shores, is a key goal of the efforts, which include building an indigenous aircraft carrier.

A top Chinese general reportedly visited Djibouti earlier this month, promoting speculation that an agreement might soon be reached.

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A former French colony, Djibouti guards the entrance to the Red Sea and, ultimately, the Suez Canal, and has been used by international navies — including China — as a base in the fight against piracy from neighbouring Somalia.

In May, the country’s president Ismail Omar Gelleh told AFP that “discussions are ongoing” with China for a military base in the tiny Horn of Africa nation, saying that Beijing’s presence would be “welcome”.

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