China to build naval base in Gulf of Aden
France has already done it, but now it appears China is flexing its naval muscles in the Middle East too. The Gulf of Aden is a very strategic stretch of water where oil needs to pass through freely. Somalian pirates patrol the area hopeful for ransom monies, and Iran may have plans to counterattack shipping lanes if Israel or the US strikes. France has been busy embedding itself there. French deals in the area have included two nuclear reactors, a naval and air force base, 500 troops, an overseas branch of a major European museum, Rafale fighter jets, a $53 billion trade deal, to give them a foothold in the Strait of Hormuz. Sarkozy is opening the first French military outpost overseas in over 50 years, which is dangerous territory indeed for the French with a checkered colonial legacy in region.
China watching this from afar, and seeing how badly the US is floundering with its more confrontational foreign policy approaches in the region, wants in on the action. It may well be a sign of growing military confidence that according to , Admiral Yin Zhuo , country may build a base in the Gulf of Aden to support missions against Somali pirates. China has recently sent four flotillas to the Middle East in order to take part in anti-piracy operations. The latest mission, which departed from China in October, involved two missile frigates. China has been allowed to use the French base as a supply base, but now it appears it wants its own.
Mr Yin, who is a senior researcher at the navy’s Equipment Research centre, said a permanent base in the region would help supply Chinese ships. “We are not saying we need our navy everywhere in order to fulfil our international commitments,” he said, cautiously. “We are saying to fulfil our international commitments, we need to strengthen our supply capacity.”
His words, which came just a few days after China rescued 25 sailors from Somali pirates, were posted in an interview on the Defence ministry website. China is reported to have paid a USD4 million (Pounds2.5 million) ransom to free the De Xin Hai, a coal carrier.
Mr Yin pointed out that the first Chinese ships in the Gulf of Aden spent 124 days at sea without docking, a logistical challenge.
However, Chinese ships have since been permitted to dock at a French base.
“If China establishes a similar long-term supply base, I believe that the nations in the region and the other countries involved with the (anti-pirate) escorts would understand,” he said. “I think a permanent, stable base would be good for our operations.”
