Is China Building a Naval Base in Africa?
Recently, The Namibian reported the existence of a "confidential letter from Namibia's ambassador to China, Ringo Abed, to Namibia's foreign minister stating that 'a Chinese delegation will visit Namibia ... for discussions ... on the way forward regarding plans for the proposed naval base in Walvis Bay'.”
The reports say that Beijing has told Namibian diplomats that a "Chinese naval presence will deter any would-be illegal trawlers and smugglers.” China's Indian Ocean-based "string of pearls" naval base strategy to protect the country's 21st Century vision of a "maritime silk road" looks like it may now extend all the way to the South Atlantic.
China’s annual trade with Africa soared 11-fold in the decade to 2013, exceeding $200 billion, and the country’s companies have invested on the continent. Among other assets they own a uranium mine in Namibia and are building roads in Kenya and supplying freight trains to South Africa.
The Military Balance 2015 assesses that there are currently 25 Chinese-origin vessels in service with African navies and coastguards. This makes China by far the biggest Asian naval exporter to African states, followed by Taiwan with six vessels currently in service with African navies.
As China continues to secure defence export contracts and as the domestic shipbuilding capability in countries such as India matures, there is greater potential for competition between Asian countries for African naval contracts.
Since China's initial contribution to anti-piracy activities, the country greatly increased maritime cooperation in with Africa, holding exercises with Tanzania and providing warships to the Nigerian navy.
Some observers say that China’s increasing interests and involvement in Africa do not necessarily lead to the establishment of Chinese naval bases in or close to the continent. To supply its ships, the Chinese navy may well continue using the commercial-diplomatic model that China has been developing. China may not establish overseas military bases, it may be able to keep expanding its naval presence in or around Africa.
The Chinese population on the east African island of Madagascar has grown five-fold over the past decade to an estimated 100,000 people, making it the third-largest Chinese community in all of Africa.
The massive influx of Chinese immigrants and investment in Africa pose significant obstacles to U.S. development and counterterrorism efforts in the region. By preying upon the vulnerabilities of Africa’s many rentier states, Chinese endeavors exacerbate existing tensions over scarce natural resources, buttress corrupt regimes, and further entrench the status quo that has proven a fertile breeding ground for Islamist extremism.
With an estimated one million Chinese nationals currently residing in Africa, some observers worry this phenomenon represents a sort of Chinese neocolonialism.
December 2014, the first Chinese-built Centenary-class Offshore Patrol Vessel NNS Centenary was delivered to Nigeria and commissioned in February 2015, along with NNS Okpabana (ex-USCGC Gallatin, Hamilton-class), NNS Prosperity (ex-IRL L E Emer, Emer-class) and a 38m patrol craft, NNS Sagbama, believed also to be from China.
