China to build first overseas military facility in Djibouti to offer logistical support to Chinese Navy 12201162

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Defence & Security News - China
 
China to build first overseas military facility in Djibouti to offer logistical support to Chinese Navy.
China is moving forward to build what's believed to be its first overseas military facility, in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. The outpost is meant to bolster the Chinese navy's efforts to prevent piracy.At least three other countries — the U.S., France and Japan — have military bases in Djibouti, drawn to the country's strategic location and stability.
     
China is moving forward to build what's believed to be its first overseas military facility, in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. The outpost is meant to bolster the Chinese navy's efforts to prevent piracy.At least three other countries — the U.S., France and Japan — have military bases in Djibouti, drawn to the country's strategic location and stability. The 16th Chinese naval escort taskforce under the PLAN conducts the anti-piracy training on its way to the Gulf of Aden to perform escort missions. (China Military Online/Zhou Youwen)
     
The presence of military ships from those countries and China has been credited with reducing piracy in the region.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said Thursday that the new facility will give logistical support to China's fleet that performs escort duties in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast.

Those escort missions have been going on for some years now; Hong said China has "encountered real difficulties in replenishing soldiers and resupplying fuel and food, and found it really necessary to have nearby and efficient logistical support."

He added that China and Djibouti have "reached consensus" on building the facilities, a plan that Chinese officials spoke about publicly last fall.