Washington: The United States has claimed that China is seeking to establish stronger military infrastructure and logistics in more than a dozen countries to project and maintain its power at greater distances, according to a Pentagon report.
China is looking to establish stronger logistics in about a dozen countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Angola and Tajikistan, the report said on Tuesday. .
The Pentagon, in its annual report “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China (PRC) 2020” which was presented to the United States Congress, said that these potential Chinese military logistics facilities are in addition to the Chinese military base. in Djibouti, which aims to support the projection of naval, air and land forces.
“A global military logistical network of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) could both interfere with US military operations and support offensive operations against the United States as the global military objectives of the People’s Republic of China evolve,” the Pentagon said at the report.
The report said that China has likely already made proposals to Namibia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, adding that known focus areas of PLA planning are along the Seal Communication Lines from China to the Strait of Hormuz, Africa and the Pacific Islands.
Beijing has built and militarized many of the islands and reefs in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Both areas are said to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources and are vital to world trade.
“China’s leaders use non-conflict tactics to pursue China’s objectives. China calibrates its enforcement activities to fall below the threshold of provoking armed conflict with the United States, its allies and partners, or others in the region. Indo-Pacific, “the Pentagon said in its annual report to Congress.
The report also mentions that China is likely to increase the number of its nuclear warheads over the next decade from the current lows of 200 and is approaching the ability to launch nuclear strikes by land, air and sea, a capability known as a triad.
The Pentagon said the growth projection was based on factors including that Beijing has enough material to double its nuclear weapons arsenal without new production of fissile material.
According to the Pentagon, a PLA global military logistics network could both interfere with US military operations and support offensive operations against the United States as China’s global military objectives evolve.
“Host nations can play an essential role in regulating the PRC’s military operations, as Chinese officials most likely recognize that a stable, long-term relationship with the host nation is critical to the success of their logistics facilities. military, “he said.
Chinese military academics claim that overseas bases can enable advanced deployment of their forces and support military conflict, diplomatic signaling, political change, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and training.
They also suggest that a military logistics network could allow intelligence monitoring by the US military.
The revelations come as tensions rise between China and the United States and Washington seeks to get Beijing to join a landmark nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and Russia.
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