China may set up military base in Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India got a peep into China’s aggressive intent on Thursday when it signalled its plans to set up military bases in overseas locations that could possibly include Pakistan. It is clearly aimed at piling up pressure on India and to counter US influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“It is baseless to say that we will not set up any military bases in future because we have never sent troops abroad,” an article published on a Chinese government website said. “It is our right,” the article said and suggested that it would be done in the neighbourhood, possibly Pakistan. “As for the military aspect, we should be able to conduct the retaliatory attack within the country or at the neighbouring area of our potential enemies. We should also be able to put pressure on the potential enemies’ overseas interests,” it said.

A military base in Pakistan, the article argued, will also help China to keep a check on Muslim Uighur separatists fighting for an independent nation in its western region of Xingjian. This region borders the most volatile part of Pakistan — the North West Frontier Province.

Strategic experts here said the government leadership should sit up and take note of these assertions. China has already built the Gadwar port in Pakistan and is now broadening the Karokoram highway. It has also announced its plans to involve in infrastructure development activities in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

China’s latest plan for a setting up military bases also signals a rethink on its military strategy. It has so far been criticising the US for operating military bases in overseas locations. “With economic development, China will be in great demand of the military protection,” the article on the Chinese government website said. “If the base troops can maintain the regional stability, it will be probably welcomed by all the countries in the region,” the article added.