China plans military facilities in Pak, Lanka, Myanmar: Pentagon

Washington, Sept 2: China is seeking to set up more robust logistics facilities in about a dozen countries, including three in India’s neighbourhood, to allow the PLA to project and sustain military power at greater distances, according to a Pentagon report. In addition to the three neighbours of India — Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar — the other countries where China is considering to base its military logistics and infrastructure facilities are Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Angola and Tajikistan, the report said on Tuesday.

In its annual report “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2020” that was submitted to the US Congress, the Pentagon said these potential Chinese military logistics facilities are in addition to the Chinese military base in Djibouti, which is aimed at supporting naval, air and ground forces projection. “A global PLA ( People’s Liberation Army) military logistics network could both interfere with US military operations and support offensive operations against the US as the PRC’s global military objectives evolve,” the Pentagon said in the report.

China has probably already made overtures to Namibia, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands, it said, adding the known focus areas of PLA planning are along the Seal Lines of Communication from

China to the Strait of Hormuz, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Similarly, the Pentagon said, Beijing uses the One Belt One Road ( OBOR) initiative to support its strategy of national rejuvenation by seeking to expand global transportation and trade linkages to support its development and deepen its economic integration with nations along its periphery and beyond.

“OBOR projects associated with pipelines and port construction in Pakistan intend to decrease China’s reliance on transporting energy resources through strategic chokepoints,” it said.