MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pentagon claims China plans to add military bases around the world

Beijing currently has just one overseas military base, in Djibouti, but is believed to be planning others, possibly Pakistan, as it seeks to become a global superpower

The US Defense Department expects China to add military bases around the world to protect its investments in its ambitious One Belt One Road global infrastructure program, according to an official report released on Thursday.

Beijing currently has just one overseas military base, in Djibouti, but is believed to be planning others, including possibly Pakistan, as it seeks to project itself as a global superpower.

”China's advancement of projects such as the 'One Belt, One Road' Initiative (OBOR) will probably drive military overseas basing through a perceived need to provide security for OBOR projects,“ the Pentagon said in its annual report to Congress on Chinese military and security developments.

”China will seek to establish additional 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.

That effort could be constrained by other countries' wariness of hosting a full-time presence of the People's Liberation Army, the report noted. But target locations for military basing could include the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the western Pacific.

China has already established well-armed outposts on contested atolls it build up in the South China Sea.

Last year, there were reportedly discussions on a base in the Wakhan corridor of northwest Afghanistan.

In addition, The Washington Post recently identified an outpost hosting many Chinese troops in eastern Tajikistan, near the strategic junction of the Wakhan Corridor, China, and Pakistan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought to project the country's power beyond its immediate ”back yard” in East and Southeast Asia.

This includes strengthening the country's presence in international institutions, acquiring top-flight technology and establishing a strong economic presence worldwide.

It also includes projecting the country's military force on land, sea and in space, the report notes.

Updates from the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England left markets on the back foot on Thursday as investors weighed their messages on the outlook for growth and monetary policy.