Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao reported that according to AFP, President Guelleh of Djibouti, a small eastern African country, said that his country was discussing with China the establishment of a base in Djibouti for maintaining China’s navigation security and overseas interests.
Guelleh welcomed China’s intention to set up a military base in his country.
This will be China’s first military base outside the Chinese mainland.
It shows Chinese progress in having friendly countries willing to allow the establishment of overseas military bases.
However, huanqiu.com, which also carries Lianhe Zaobao’s report, says that China expects the US and India to oppose China’s establishment of a military base there.
Such a base may hurt America’s vital interests in Africa, as it is near an American military base.