As it has become impossible for China not to talk about the planning and execution of building overseas bases, China should just open its plan to and conduct public diplomacy with the world. Global Times published an article by Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, on opening such a discussion. Liu argued that such establishments are needed for both China’s own interests (trade, energy resources, investment, and overseas Chinese) and the broader international responsibilities that the international community asks China to take on. China’s good relationship with countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa makes it possible for China to move to the Indian Ocean. The short-term goal of overseas bases is to support the escort at the Gulf of Aden. For the long-term, the strategy should focus on the security of China’s energy resources path and China’s overseas interests.
Source: Global Times, May 20, 2010
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