Article Posted on : - Feb 26, 2016

A representational photo.

BEIJING (PTI): China said it has started constructing its first overseas logistics facility in the strategically-located Djibouti to support PLA's anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast, bolstering its presence in the Indian Ocean.

Under a deal reached between China and Djibouti, the logistics facility will help Chinese troops carry out international peacekeeping operations and perform humanitarian rescues, Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defence, told a media briefing here on Thursday.

Qian said China has begun construction of logistics facility in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa to support People's Liberation Army's escorting of ships in the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Somali coast.

Chinese Foreign Ministry earlier said the centre, which the American defence officials termed as a military base, is aimed at providing better facilities to the personnel on Chinese vessels such as better rest and replenishments.

Djibouti is strategically located near the world's busiest shipping lanes, controlling access to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. It serves as a key refuelling and transshipment centre, and is the principal maritime port for imports to and exports from neighbouring Ethiopia.

China uses Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles where Chinese escort ships halt for supply and rest facilities and invested in two major ports, Hambathota and Colombo in Sri Lanka. In the Arabian Sea, China has taken over the Pakistan port of Gwadar as part of its development of the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

According to China, it has so far dispatched over 60 vessels in 21 missions to Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia coast to carry out escort missions to counter piracy.

"During these operations, we find they meet difficulties in getting rest and replenishment and supplies. Therefore we need to provide better service in this regard. China and Djibouti are friendly countries.

"Now we are having consultations in having building up these logistics facilities," Chinese Foreign Ministry official Hong Lei had said.

China in the past consistently denied building military bases out of its territory. But with its first refurbished aircraft carrier in operation and with two more under construction, analysts said China is on the lookout of bigger port facilities in Asia and Africa.

China has reportedly signed a 10-year contract with Djibouti to build the military facility. The base would serve as a logistics hub for China to be able to "extend their reach," an American defence official said.

It comes at a time when China's outreach to Africa both in terms of trade and investments surpassed the US and India.

China has already cemented its foothold in the Indian Ocean by signing contract with the UN-backed International Seabed Authority in 2011 to gain rights to explore polymetallic sulphide ore deposit in Indian Ocean over the next 15 years.