By Shannon Tiezzi
A U.S. general confirms China will open a base in Djibouti. Here’s why that shouldn’t be taken as a threat.
China has signed a ten-year contract to open up its first military base overseas – in Djibouti, at the intersection of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea – according to a U.S. military official. Kristina Wong of The Hill cited U.S. General David Rodriguez, the commander of U.S. Africa Command, confirming the news to defense reporters.
China is “going to build a base in Djibouti, so that will be their first military location in Africa,” Rodriguez said. He described the base as a logistics hub that China would use to “extend their reach.”
Though China has consistently refused to confirm reports that it will establish a military presence anywhere overseas, the government of Djibouti has talked openly about the prospect. Back in May, President Ismail Omar Guelleh told AFP that China and Djibouti were in talks about opening up a Chinese military base. A Chinese military presence would be “welcome,” he added.
Read the full story at The Diplomat