Chinese Naval Base in Seychelles?

What's far more interesting than the fact that China may be establishing its first military presence abroad, is the fact that this is an invitation extended by the Seychelles government.

Is China's African policy finally starting to pay off? Might we expect more of these offers to come in the future?

Further, what does this say about the oft-repeated stereotype of the "World" being wary of China's ascendancy?

I think it would be a great PR move for China to also refurb a retired Jiangwei as a Coast Guard OPV for Seychelles. That would fall in line with the whole anti-piracy operations.

I do find it a bit of fear mongering when the media constantly needs to describe a "string of pearls". In reality, the US is closer to that goal than China is - bases in SK, Japan, Guam, Darwin, Diego Garcia, and potentially Cam Ranh Bay.

for now china can't have military base outside the country because of the policy of non interference.
the policy prevent PLA to establish base abroad. I'm sure there must reflect to see if they can change it. a network of base abroad is one way to break the military containment policy that the United States is/have puting in place

another "China threat" report

joshuatree said:

I think it would be a great PR move for China to also refurb a retired Jiangwei as a Coast Guard OPV for Seychelles. That would fall in line with the whole anti-piracy operations.

I do find it a bit of fear mongering when the media constantly needs to describe a "string of pearls". In reality, the US is closer to that goal than China is - bases in SK, Japan, Darwin, Diego Garcia, and potentially Cam Ranh Bay.

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If you look at the size of Seychelles standing army, one would doubt if they got enough manpower for that.

But like I've said somewhere else, using it as a logistic port would only ease the PLAN operations in the expedition, physically Seychelles is too small to support full-sized military base and that reflects on its future values (even if and when Somali pirates are no more); and PLAN is far more keen to get as many of their men and equipment the experience of this expedition, it is something they could never hope to get in home waters.

solarz said:

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What's far more interesting than the fact that China may be establishing its first military presence abroad, is the fact that this is an invitation extended by the Seychelles government.

Is China's African policy finally starting to pay off? Might we expect more of these offers to come in the future?

Further, what does this say about the oft-repeated stereotype of the "World" being wary of China's ascendancy?

Click to expand...

Because of the stated "non intereference" policy, they will not call it a "base." But I bet they will accept the offer and establish berths and docks and logistical capabilities there...and probably have it all fenced off with controlled access.

It will be a bse...without being called that.

Sort of like the Japanese calling the Hyuga and the coming 22DDH class of vessel "destroyers" because their policy and constitution will not let them have official carriers.

But everybody knows what they are...and this will be a PLAN base in everything but name only.

Which is fine. The PLAN is working with the international community in the anti-piracy operations and doing a good job of it by all accounts. Such a location will help them in that endeavor.

The PRC is a large, powerful nation with many foreign interests. As long as they allow others the right of free passage and do not infringe, they have every right to establish themselves in this manner to assist in their operations and interests.

MwRYum said:

If you look at the size of Seychelles standing army, one would doubt if they got enough manpower for that.

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Considering Seychelles is directly being impacted by the piracy situation, I don't believe they will not be willing to expand manpower to man an OPV if given one. It would only help protect their own interests. I am not sure what minimal size of crew is needed for such a vessel as a Jiangwei converted OPV.

Jeff Head said:

Because of the stated "non intereference" policy, they will not call it a "base." But I bet they will accept the offer and establish berths and docks and logistical capabilities there...and probably have it all fenced off with controlled access.

It will be a bse...without being called that.

Sort of like the Japanese calling the Hyuga and the coming 22DDH class of vessel "destroyers" because their policy and constitution will not let them have official carriers.

But everybody knows what they are...and this will be a PLAN base in everything but name only.

Click to expand...

Jeff,

I fail to see how China's non-interference policy would clash with foreign military bases.

If the local government asked China to set up a base, and China did, how is that interfering in the host nation's internal affairs?

Any such base will be completely self-contained, and China will only have limited authority over what goes on inside the confines of the base. That is little different from owning a mine, for example.



joshuatree

I think one of the main points for asking China to set up a base is so that the Seychelles government will not need to expend their military to defend against pirates.

No matter how small the base is, the PLAN is going to be stationing marines there for security, and PLAN ships and helos will likely to moving to and from the base on a regular basis.

Even if that alone is not enough of a deterrent to keep the pirates away, it would be a simple matter for the Seychelles to ask that one of the conditions for their generous offer is that the PLAN help patrol the Seychelles against possible pirate attacks.

Hell, that will probably also suit the PLAN just fine, as that would give them the perfect pre-text to set up a radar station and listening post to keep a tab on things in the Indian Ocean and Middle East and Eastern Africa.

joshuatree said:

Considering Seychelles is directly being impacted by the piracy situation, I don't believe they will not be willing to expand manpower to man an OPV if given one. It would only help protect their own interests. I am not sure what minimal size of crew is needed for such a vessel as a Jiangwei converted OPV.

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The problem is: that's just one ship.

It's the same problem with that single big nice new cutter the Philippine just got from US - you need at least 3 to keep at least one on call / on station at any one time, and more to maintain a effective presence.

Then to make it useful they'd need onboard helicopter assets and/or UAV for beyond horizon surveillance, especially when what they're dealing with are fishing-trawler sized motherships with smaller boats on tow, or packs of smaller boats.

Seychelles just can't cough up that much manpower, whether they like it or not.

I fail to see how China's non-interference policy would clash with foreign military bases.

If the local government asked China to set up a base, and China did, how is that interfering in the host nation's internal affairs?

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Hohoho, you sound like an apologist for pax Americana now. That is the exact defense the American government gives for its hundreds of bases all over the world, from Germany to Yemen to Australia--the local government asked me to do it! Or when the U.S. bombs homes and cars in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia, it's always "with local government approval." Setting up a naval base in the Seychelles will definitely have an impact in Seychelles' internal affairs. The Chinese troops will bring money to spend, which will attract locals to sell them products and services. Overtime the area around the base will depend on the base for their economic well-being, just as Okinawa depends on the American base there. American politicians fiercely resist closing military bases in their district because the base provides jobs and money to the community. The same will happen in the Seychelles. A pro-base constituency will emerge to protect the Chinese interests when the inevitable drunken fights, rape, and murder occur, just like in Okinawa.

China used to proudly fly the "we have no foreign bases" flag when defending their foreign policy. I guess they'll have to amend that. China's foreign policy values are changing and becoming more interventionist. China used to not care about almost anything outside its borders, now it cares about a lot of things and is getting the ability to do something about it. In the past, China couldn't afford to care about anything a hundred miles from its borders because it was militarily weak.