A recent report by the US Defense Department, known as the Pentagon, indicates that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is developing plans for new military bases in 21 countries across the globe. Among these nations are Bangladesh and Pakistan. The primary objective behind these proposed installations is to facilitate the Chinese Navy and Air Force in conducting operations in distant regions and to establish a military presence.
Global Sea Lanes and Strategic Points
The Pentagon report highlights the PLA’s particular interest in strategic locations that are crucial for international maritime trade. These include vital passages such as the Malacca Strait and the Hormuz Strait, alongside various strategic points located in Africa and the Middle East.
Experts suggest that these overseas military facilities may serve a dual purpose, extending beyond conventional military support to include intelligence gathering. Such an extensive logistical network could potentially enable China to monitor the activities of the United States and its allied forces.
Expanding Command and Control Capabilities
Furthermore, the report details China’s efforts to enhance its command and control systems for its burgeoning foreign military infrastructure. These activities are expected to be carried out discreetly and through technical means, making them challenging for host nations to detect. This improved system would allow China to manage its distant outposts more effectively and gain better insights into the military operations of the US and its partners.
The US Congress has commissioned annual reports from the Pentagon for the past 25 years, focusing on China’s military strength and strategic objectives. These reports consistently track China’s continuous military expansion and its growing global influence. While China’s current military strategy prioritizes the ‘First Island Chain’—a maritime area stretching from Japan to Malaysia that Beijing considers central to its strategic interests in Asia—its economic and military growth is driving preparations to project power globally.
