New | China’s military in talks to build logistics ‘facilities’ in Horn of Africa Djibouti

Beijing confirmed on Thursday for the first time that it has been in talks with Djibouti to build military logistics “facilities” in the Horn of Africa country to support Chinese peacekeeping and anti-piracy missions.

The remarks were made by the defence and foreign ministries days after Beijing announced President Xi Jinping’s  official visit to South Africa and Zimbabwe next week. The facilities would mainly provide logistics services for the People’s Liberation Army’s troops in UN peacekeeping operations in the waters near Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, to resolve issues related to fuelling, rest and reorganisation of troops and food supplies, defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said.

“The escort troops encountered many difficulties … in their [past] missions, and it is necessary to provide [them with] efficient logistics services,” he said.

READ MORE: Chinese military chief visits Horn of Africa Djibouti amid reports China may set up base in the region

The United States and France already have bases in the country and its port has been used by foreign navies, including China’s, in the fight against Somali pirates.

To dampen fears about Chinese military expansion, Beijing has long evaded questions on plans to build overseas military bases, repeatedly saying China has no such bases and will never seek expansion.

Wu said the facilities would “help China’s military further carry out its international responsibilities to safeguard global and regional peace and stability”. “Maintaining regional peace and stability accords with the interests of both countries,” he said.