China’s First Overseas Base in Djibouti, An Enabler of its Middle East Policy

China’s First Overseas Base in Djibouti, An Enabler of its Middle East Policy

Although China has yet to achieve superpower status in the realm of security, it is certainly making concerted efforts toward becoming one. On November 26, Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Wu Qian confirmed that China and Djibouti are holding negotiations over the construction of a logistics base in the Horn of Africa. Observers both in China and abroad have long awaited an announcement of this kind. The visit of the People’s Liberation Army Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui to the East African country in early November last year was taken as a strong indication that a deal was being negotiated. Many believed it was just a matter of time, although Beijing had dismissed rumors as attempts to fuel the so-called “China threat theory.” The establishment of a logistics base in Djibouti puts an end to the debate about the relationship between the People’s Liberation Army and the One Belt One Road—Xi Jinping’s flagship diplomatic initiative—thereby providing new options to China’s policymakers and strategists. However, China’s role in the region is still minute in comparison to traditional powers for whom operations in the area in large numbers and multiple regional bases are routine. If China’s involvement in anti-piracy operations have helped the Chinese navy prepare for long-range operations, then the establishment of Djibouti can be viewed as yet another stepping stone to extend the reach and endurance of Chinese maritime strength.http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=45017&no_cache=1#.VrgleimGhRk