Asia Defense

A New China Military Base in Pakistan?

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Asia Defense

A New China Military Base in Pakistan?

Reports about Beijing trying to acquire another facility there could have significant consequences for the region.

A New China Military Base in Pakistan?
Credit: ISPR

A recent report about China trying to acquire a military base in Pakistan has created new concerns about Beijing’s long-term strategic plans in the Indian Ocean. The new base is supposed to go up in Jiwani, about 80 kilometers to the west of the better-known Gwadar port.

If China does establish a military base here, it will be its second foreign military base, after Djibouti, which was set up in August 2017. The Hambantota port in Sri Lanka given to China on a 99-year lease could possibly be added to the facilities available to China, though Sri Lanka has reportedly promised India that it will not allow the port to be used for military purposes.

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