China is once again in the news for its growing military ambitions. The latest report of the US Defense Department (Pentagon) has indicated that China is not only rapidly modernizing its army, but is also exploring the possibility of building military bases in strategically important countries around India.
Among the countries whose names have appeared in a map released by Newsweek, India’s four neighbors Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka especially attract attention. This has raised the question whether China is working on a strategy to surround India from all sides?
China is planning for new bases, Pentagon claims
According to the Pentagon report Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2025, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is actively considering and planning new overseas military bases. The purpose of these bases is to help China’s Navy and Air Force operate in remote areas and to provide logistics support to ground security forces.
Why increased concern in India’s neighbourhood?
Among the countries mentioned in the report, four neighboring countries of India – Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka are very important strategically. Pakistan is already a close partner of China and through CPEC, military and economic cooperation between the two countries has deepened. Bangladesh is located on India’s eastern front and China’s military presence here can become a new challenge to India’s security. China is already active in infrastructure and port projects in Myanmar. At the same time, Sri Lanka is very important for India in the Indian Ocean, where China’s increasing interest has already been a matter of concern.
Where are China’s military bases now?
At present, China has two official military bases outside its border. First, the support base located in Djibouti, Africa, which was established in 2017. This base supports Chinese naval operations and maritime security missions in the Indian Ocean region. Second, the recently launched Joint Logistics and Training Center in Cambodia, which strengthens China’s military presence in the South China Sea.
What is China’s side?
Responding to the Pentagon report, China’s Defense Ministry has said that it operates under international laws and its military activities are for international public security and peacekeeping. However, experts believe that the ground reality is much more complex than this.
