Fairthought
Junior Member
I definitely agree that China is setting up Gwadar as just one of a 'string of pearls.' It would be interesting to speculate on future Chinese pearls yet to be built.
My guess:
One in Iran
Two more in Myanmar (Burma)
At least two in Indonesia
One in Malaysia
One in Sudan
One in Somalia
Perhaps another, smaller port in Pakistan (just a sub pen)
One in Bangladesh
One in SouthAfrica
One in Comoros?
One in Maldives
It is interesting to note, that aside from Myanmar and South Africa, all of these countries are muslim nations. It seems to be a by-product of America's anti-muslim foreign policy. Or it just represents the fact that the persian gulf and the red sea are geographically surrounded by muslim countries. Either way, China needs to maintain good relations with muslim countries if it hopes to set up a string of pearls.
Of course, a string of pearls is expensive, and contructing/leasing these naval bases will be expensive. But China will have the money, and this list is by no means as long as the list of American naval bases around the world.
Will this instigate a naval arms race with India? That is already inevitable, so it is pointless to worry about it.
Will China have a large naval presence in the india ocean? Probably not. As earlier stated, China's navy is primarily focussed on Taiwan for the foreseeable future. Maybe after reunification...
Until then Chinese naval presence in the Indian ocean is to provide support and protection for Chinese commercial vessels along vital trade routes. But there will also be lots of submarine missions to prowl and test the ASW capabilities of the Indian Navy. India's ASW tech may have modernized, but that just induces China all the more to study India's ASW capabilities.
P.S. The greatest pearl of all would be the primarily chinese nation of Singapore. While the current political leadership is heavily in Britain's pocket, the people still consider their ethnicity to be Chinese. Perhaps after Chinese reunification with Taiwan there would be a new drive for 'reunification' with Singapore.
My guess:
One in Iran
Two more in Myanmar (Burma)
At least two in Indonesia
One in Malaysia
One in Sudan
One in Somalia
Perhaps another, smaller port in Pakistan (just a sub pen)
One in Bangladesh
One in SouthAfrica
One in Comoros?
One in Maldives
It is interesting to note, that aside from Myanmar and South Africa, all of these countries are muslim nations. It seems to be a by-product of America's anti-muslim foreign policy. Or it just represents the fact that the persian gulf and the red sea are geographically surrounded by muslim countries. Either way, China needs to maintain good relations with muslim countries if it hopes to set up a string of pearls.
Of course, a string of pearls is expensive, and contructing/leasing these naval bases will be expensive. But China will have the money, and this list is by no means as long as the list of American naval bases around the world.
Will this instigate a naval arms race with India? That is already inevitable, so it is pointless to worry about it.
Will China have a large naval presence in the india ocean? Probably not. As earlier stated, China's navy is primarily focussed on Taiwan for the foreseeable future. Maybe after reunification...
Until then Chinese naval presence in the Indian ocean is to provide support and protection for Chinese commercial vessels along vital trade routes. But there will also be lots of submarine missions to prowl and test the ASW capabilities of the Indian Navy. India's ASW tech may have modernized, but that just induces China all the more to study India's ASW capabilities.
P.S. The greatest pearl of all would be the primarily chinese nation of Singapore. While the current political leadership is heavily in Britain's pocket, the people still consider their ethnicity to be Chinese. Perhaps after Chinese reunification with Taiwan there would be a new drive for 'reunification' with Singapore.
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