DJIBOUTI AND REAM: A REVIEW OF CHINA'S BASING INITIATIVES ABROAD
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Authors
Beaver, John T., III
Subjects
People’s Liberation Army Navy
PLAN
Djibouti
Cambodia
overseas bases
People's Liberation Army
PLA
PLAN
Djibouti
Cambodia
overseas bases
People's Liberation Army
PLA
Advisors
Meyskens, Covell F.
Date of Issue
2024-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
In 2017, China established its first overseas base in Djibouti. This major shift in Chinese security policy led some analysts to predict that China’s base in Djibouti would be the first of many overseas Chinese naval bases. In this context, the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia has generated concern that it will be the next location because a Chinese company finances the base’s modernization, and the two states share close political and economic relations. This thesis investigates whether the factors that led to the establishment of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) base in Djibouti are relevant in assessing the PLA’s basing initiative at Ream. This thesis concludes that the unique characteristics of China’s basing initiative in Djibouti are not replicable. However, the two cases share similar factors such as their low levels of development, authoritarian governments, and security disadvantages when compared to their neighbors. These factors may compel the Cambodian government, and possibly other countries, to accept a Chinese naval base in the future.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.