Thursday, December 31, 2009

China Floats The Idea of Establishing Its First Naval Base Outside Of China

China Floats Idea Of First Overseas Naval Base -- BBC

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.

Read more ....

More News On China's Interest In Establishing An Overseas Base

China may build Middle East naval base -- The Telegraph
Chinese admiral floats idea of overseas naval bases -- Washington Post/Reuters
China mulling naval base in Gulf of Aden: admiral -- AFP
What China Wishes To Do With Its Navy -- Information Dissemination

My Comment: This is being reported and publicized now .... but the Chinese have been thinking about this for a very long time.

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