Chi may set up base in 'friendly' Pakistan, says US report

New Delhi, June 7: Chi’s military modernisation programme is now focussed on supporting missions beyond its territorial limits and is likely to set up bases in “friendly” countries like Pakistan, says the latest report from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Annual Report on Chi’s military and security development was submitted to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday.

It also confirmed that a Chinese nuclear submarine was docked in Karachi harbour in May 2016 during a visit of the People’s Liberation Army vy (PLAN) Commander. It was Chi’s first port call in South Asia by a nuclear submarine.

The report said as Chi’s global footprint and intertiol interests had grown, its military modernisation programme had become “more focused on supporting missions beyond Chi’s periphery”.

“In February 2016, Chi began construction of a military base in Djibouti that could be complete within the next year,” the report said.

It added that Chi was likely to establish additiol military bases in countries with which it has longstanding, friendly relationships, like Pakistan.

“Chi will most likely seek to establish additiol military bases in countries with which it has a longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan, and in which there is a precedent for hosting foreign militaries,” the report said.

While stating that Chi continued to send submarines to the Indian Ocean in 2016, the report said it appeared to be in support of its counter-piracy patrols.

In the South and East Chi seas, the report said, Chi was continuing to exercise “low-intensity coercion” to advance its claims.  (IANS)