12-15-2011, 09:06 PM
Nightwatch 14 Dec 2011
France has its Reunion Island for its ships.
Most likely the Seychelles wants to hedge its security and invited the Chinese.
Wonder what the Indian diplomats in Seychelles were doing if the PRC is making inroads into their near abroad?
Were tehy aware of the PRC inroads or found out from the news papers as usual?
Quote:China-Seychelles: China's Xinhua news agency disseminated the following report on 12 December 2011:
"China said on Monday that its naval fleet may seek supplies or recuperate at appropriate harbors in Seychelles or other countries as needed during escort missions.
"It is international practice for naval fleets to resupply at the closest port of a nearby state during long-distance missions, the Ministry of National Defense said in a press release commenting on a recent report stating that China will establish a military base in Seychelles to crack down on piracy.
"Chinese naval fleets have resupplied at harbors in Djibouti, Oman and Yemen since the country sent its first convoy to the Gulf of Aden in 2008, according to the ministry."
"Defense Minister Liang Guanglie paid an official goodwill visit to Seychelles earlier this month. During Liang's visit, the two sides exchanged views on their countries' and armies' cooperation, as well as on the global and regional situation."
"Seychelles appreciates China's efforts to maintain safe navigation on the Indian Ocean, as well as the support it has granted to Seychelles, the ministry said."
"Seychelles also invited China's navy to resupply and recuperate in the country during escort missions, the ministry said."
Comment: India has been the primary protector of the Seychelles since the emergence of the Somali pirates, who have attacked ships and craft in the Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone. India has trained most officers in the small defense force and provided equipment, including a naval patrol ship in 2005.
In 2009, the Indian Navy responded to a request for increased anti-piracy patrols by rotating patrol and support ships to the area, as the Somali pirates began to operate farther east into the Indian Ocean. Since January 2011 India has stationed a naval maritime patrol aircraft in the Seychelles. India has played down the suggestion that the Chinese threat is increasing or that China is encircling India.
Recent press reports indicate that the US operates a drone base in the Seychelles, providing indirect defense cover for this rich island nation and supporting US forces in Africa..
The Xinhua announcement depicts the Chinese as reluctantly responding to an unsolicited offer. That is for public consumption to allay Indian and US fears that China is again expanding its sphere of influence, which it is. No news service reported what the Chinese gave or promised the Seychelles in return.
China brags that it is the only permanent member of the UN Security Council that does not possess overseas bases. It will not build a base, but access to the Seychelles would facilitate Chinese poaching in India's Ocean as well as support for Chinese anti-piracy operations and security for oil shipments bound for China from African ports.
With the invitation to the Chinese, all major naval powers that operate in the Indian Ocean, except Japan and France, will have access to the island nation. Japan opened its naval base in Djibouti in July.
France has its Reunion Island for its ships.
Most likely the Seychelles wants to hedge its security and invited the Chinese.
Wonder what the Indian diplomats in Seychelles were doing if the PRC is making inroads into their near abroad?
Were tehy aware of the PRC inroads or found out from the news papers as usual?