BEIJING: China said on Thursday that talk the country was building a military base in Pakistan was pure speculation, aft
er a Pentagon report earlier this month singled out Pakistan as a possible location for a future Chinese military base.
The Pentagon forecast that Beijing would likely build more bases overseas after establishing a facility in the African nation of Djibouti.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian was asked at a regular monthly news briefing if China would build a naval base in the Chinese-invested port city of Gwadar.
“Talk that China is building a military base in Pakistan is pure guesswork,” Wu said, without elaborating.
Djibouti’s position on the northwestern edge of the Indian Ocean has fuelled worries in India that it would become another of China’s “string of pearls” of military alliances and assets ringing India, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
China has repeatedly downplayed expectations it could be about to embark on a plan to build military bases around the world, even as it ramps up an impressive military modern
isation programme.
On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesper
son Lu Kang said during a press briefing that Pakistan was at the forefront of counter-terrorism and had made an important contribution to the international campaign against terrorism.
The spokesperson said the Chinese side maintained that the international community should step up cooperation against terrorism, and should also fully recognise Pakistan’s efforts in this regard.
Regarding counter-terrorism and issues relating to other countries in the region, Lu Kang said, “We have noted the relevant reports. I would like to say that the Chinese government is consistent and clear on counter-terrorism.” He said China opposed all forms of terrorism and linking terrorism with any specific country, adding, “We call for international cooperation against terrorism on the basis of mutual respect.” Responding to a question regarding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, he said, “We have been saying that China welcomes friendly and cooperative relations among all countries, and hope that such kind of relations will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and beyond.”
“We think it is quite normal for leaders of two countries to talk about issues of common interest, as long as their interaction is conducive to peace, stability, and prosperity of Asia.”
About
the discussion and consensus between the US and Indian leaders on the issue of Afghanistan, the Chinese spokesperson said that the real
isation of peace and stability in Afghanistan at an early date served the common interests of the entire region.
Published in Daily Times, June 30th, 2017.
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