China’s basing quest in the Gulf: Pipe dream or strategic reality?
“On March 9, 2025, two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels joined Iranian and Russian warships in the fifth annual Security Belt drill in the Gulf of Oman. Since 2019, Beijing has joined Tehran and Moscow four times in Security Belt naval drills, testing joint counterterrorism and counter-piracy capabilities in the Gulf of Oman. This reflects China’s broader naval strategy to expand its overseas maritime presence, establish a military footprint, and project power in the Gulf.”
“Commonalities between the Djibouti [East Africa] and Ream [Cambodia] naval facilities illustrate three key priorities for a Chinese military foothold in the Gulf region. First, easy access to maritime chokepoints vital to China’s economic and geopolitical interests. Second, the capacity to accommodate big warships and provide advanced fleet support services. Third, a host country sympathetic to China’s foreign policy, or at least willing to engage in a balancing act between Washington and Beijing.”
“Strategically positioned near critical global shipping corridors, serviced by modern port infrastructure, and eager to diversify security partners beyond conventional Western interlocutors, most of the Gulf Arab countries meet China’s needs for military expansion. While each Gulf country offers different capabilities, recent developments suggest Chinese planners would find the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Oman the most suitable for a Chinese naval base.”
Source: The Atlantic Council