In addition to selling this weapon, during the Sudan crisis, the Chinese army actively supported the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Sudan. This peacekeeping operation under the umbrella of the United Nations is the international military mission in which the Chinese army has been the most active in its history.
This peacekeeping mission had been the official beginning of China's military presence in Africa. However, China's presence in Sudan was under the United Nations mission. For this reason, it was discussed that China would open a military base in Africa for a long time.
China opens her first military base in Djibouti on same day as People's Liberation
Army marks 90th anniversary in 2017. China began constructing a base in Djibouti in 2016. It will be used to resupply navy ships taking part in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia, in particular. China's agreement with Djibouti ensures its military presence in the country up until 2026, with a contingent of up to 10,000 soldiers.
China's military base choice in Djibouti is a very strategic move. Actually, Djibouti is a tiny barren nation sandwiched between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. It is at the southern entrance to the Red Sea on the route to the Suez Canal. Djibouti is located on the horn of Africa.
As seen in the picture, the horn of Africa is neighbour with many strategic roads and the Middle East. According to many international relations scholars, the key of the Middle East is the Horn of Africa.
I think the most important goal of China's Djibouti military base is China's desire to become a power in the Middle East. In the near future, it is possible to see the other steps related to this purpose.
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