What's Going On In Djibouti? US/China Faceoff in Africa
China sends ships, troops to 1st overseas military base in Horn of Africa
Chinese troops have been deployed to the country's first overseas military base, in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa. Beijing says the base will be used for logistical purposes, such as resupplying ships taking part in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
Ships carrying personnel from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were dispatched to set up the base in Djibouti on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua reported, declining to mention the number of troops that were deployed.
Referring to the facility as a “support base,” the Chinese media outlet said its purpose will be to ensure China's successful performance of missions in the region, including peacekeeping and humanitarian aid in Africa and western Asia. It did not say when operations would begin at the base.
NOT 'JUST' A RESUPPLY POINT
the People's Liberation Army Daily said the facility will increase China's ability to ensure global peace, particularly because it has many UN peacekeepers in Africa and is very involved in anti-piracy patrols.
It added that China will under no circumstances be seeking military expansionism or become involve in arms races.
Meanwhile, an editorial in the state-run Global Times seemed to refer to the facility as a proper base, rather than a logistics facility.
“Certainly this is the People's Liberation Army's first overseas base and we will base troops there. It's not a commercial resupply point. It makes sense there is attention on this from foreign public opinion,” the editorial states.
It went on to state that China's military development is about protecting its own security, not about “seeking to control the world.”
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