Volume 9 Nomor 1 April 2021

China’s Defence Policy and The Establishment of China’s First Overseas Naval Base In Djibouti

Abstract

China has increasingly become more active in the global system, putting its economy and reputation at benefit. Therefore, China has been considered as a “responsible stakeholder” within the developed Western-style international system. In between, China has also focused on accomplishing the prosperous China with powerful military force to secure its own status as the rising global power with dominant power in different regions. That being said, China has utilized its defence policy aside of its foreign policy with the support of its economic and security tools as a mean to realize such vision and different objectives in different sectors, including how it maintains its presence in the Indian Ocean through the establishment of China’s first overseas naval base in Djibouti and the increasing role of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). From one era to another era, China has developed different military strategies or approaches as a part of its defence policies. It is designed based on China’s state of affairs and the conduct of the warfare in each era. By using qualitative research method based on literature and data analysis, this article concludes that a significant shift in China’s defence policy with the military modernization that follows plays a substantial role in enabling China’s decision to build a naval base in Djibouti and how it will be utilized in accordance with its designated functions to protect China’s overseas interests at best.