China floats idea of first overseas naval base

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8435037.stm

China floats idea of first overseas naval base

Page last updated at 16:30 GMT, Wednesday, 30 December 2009

A senior Chinese naval officer has suggested that China establish a permanent

base in the Gulf of Aden to support its anti-piracy operations.

Rear Admiral Yin Zhou's proposal was posted on the defence ministry website.

Mr Yin said supplying and maintaining the fleet off Somalia was challenging

without such a base, and said other nations were unlikely to object.

China's navy currently has no overseas bases, but there are calls in the media

and web forums for this to change.

The proposal comes after a Chinese cargo ship and its crew of 25 were rescued

from Somali pirates on Monday, amid reports that a $4m (£2.5m) ransom had been

paid to their kidnappers.

'Appropriate'

The Chinese navy has already been patrolling the Gulf of Aden for more than a

year, protecting cargo vessels that are increasingly threatened by pirates based

in Somalia.

Yin Zhuo, a prominent spokesman on naval matters, made his suggestion to

establish a permanent base in the area during a state radio interview on

Tuesday. A transcript was later published on the defence ministry's website.

" I believe that a relatively stable, relatively solid base for resupply and

repair would be appropriate, " he said.

Such a base would provide a steady source of fresh food, along with facilities

for communications, ship repair and recreation, Mr Yin added.

He offered no suggestion on where such a base should be located.

Any definite decision to establish such a base would have to be decided by the

Communist Party, Mr Yin said.

Allaying foreign concern

Other countries have been closely monitoring China's international deployments

for signs of increasing assertiveness in its foreign defence policy.

Beijing's leaders are sensitive to these concerns - and the first ships deployed

in the Gulf spent more than four months at sea without docking.

" We didn't want to arouse unnecessary suspicion from some Western countries, " Mr

Yin explained.

" Gradually, everyone saw we are there to carry out legitimate international

duties and we are helping ships from other countries as well, " he said, adding

that when his vessel finally docked at a French base, his crew were warmly

welcomed.

Recently China has been working closely with the European Union, Nato and US

anti-piracy coalitions, sharing information and now offering protection to ships

from other countries.

According to BBC East Africa correspondent Will Ross, naval officials say they

are pleased with what is an unusual show of international military cooperation.

Mr Yin said he believed other nations in the region would understand China's

need for a naval supply base so that it could meet its international

commitments.

The US and France already have bases in the region.

The Chinese navy has not been in this part if the world since the Ming Dynasty.

During the 15th Century, Chinese naval explorers reached the East African coast,

visiting Mogadishu and Malindi, even taking back a giraffe and a zebra as

souvenirs.

These days China is sending a lot more back home - such as African oil and

minerals, which are vital for the country's economy.

[Guest guest]

" It isn't the West China should be worried about. "

By having a military base outside of China, it enables them to funnel weapons

toadjacent countries. I believe this is part of the reason for their constant

arms buildup. You keep the newest and best stuff for yourself and sell the

lesser arms to other countries. That way you take their money, encourage

possible wars and fighting between them, and possibly rope the UN or NATO into

them, and while that is going on, you start making inroads into accomplishing

your real objectives.

This is the equivalent of the Cuban Missile Crisis, but most governments are too

foolish to see what is happening.

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