Change Is Coming: China Is Accelerating Its Plan For A Military Base In Pakistan | Zero Hedge
Description: Strategically, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is their roadmap to geopolitical dominance. It is soft power with an underlying hard power, military component, the so-called “String of Pearls” bases and facilities.

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# Change Is Coming: China Is Accelerating Its Plan For A Military Base In Pakistan

Authored by Lawrence Sellin, op-ed via The Daily Caller,

On January 1, 2018, The Daily Caller published information - later confirmed in two separate reports, here and here - about a plan for a Chinese military base on the Jiwani peninsula in Pakistan, near Gwadar, a sea port critical to the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to noted national security correspondent Bill Gertz:

> “Plans for the base were advanced during a visit to Jiwani on Dec. 18 by a group of 16 Chinese People’s Liberation Army officers who met with about 10 Pakistani military officers.”

> “The Chinese also asked the Pakistanis to undertake a major upgrade of Jiwani airport so the facility will be able to handle large Chinese military aircraft. Work on the airport improvements is expected to begin in July.”

Sources now say the plan has been accelerated. Upgrade of the Jiwani airport is already underway. In addition, procedures are being formulated for the relocation of the local population to make way for Chinese military and other support personnel. The sensitivity and importance of this issue to China and Pakistan cannot be overstated. After the disclosures and the expected denials from both Islamabad and Beijing, Pakistani officials, as early as January 5, 2018, launched a leak investigation and it was jointly decided to advance the schedule for the Jiwani base.

Strategically, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is their roadmap to geopolitical dominance. It is soft power with an underlying hard power, military component, the so-called “String of Pearls” bases and facilities.

A Chinese military base on the Jiwani peninsula will complement the Chinese base in Djibouti, which became operational in 2017. Both are located at strategic choke points. The Djibouti base is near the entrance to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, while the Jiwani base will be within easy reach of the Strait of Hormuz, a combination, not only capable of dominating vital sea lanes in the Arabian Sea, but boxing-in U.S bases in the Persian Gulf and outflanking the U.S. naval facility on Diego Garcia.

There is concern that the Chinese will transform its 99-year lease of the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota into another naval base, the exact “debt-trap” method the Chinese used in Djibouti and after its acquisition of a 40-year lease of the Pakistani port of Gwadar. There are also continuing Chinese diplomatic efforts to gain access to the Maldives.

All of the above represent elements of China’s “String of Pearls” bases to secure military dominance of the maritime component of BRI.

In addition to explicit economic and military moves, China is planning a fiber optic network to control the flow of information and is mapping the northern Indian Ocean seabed, potentially for a SOSUS-like system to monitor maritime traffic and control a fleet of subsurface drones.

While the United States is tinkering with counterinsurgency policy and nation building in Afghanistan, there are seismic strategic changes taking place in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.

It is senseless to continue an unsuccessful, costly and exhaustive approach in Afghanistan, which not only places our forces at an equivalent tactical level to the Taliban, but allows Pakistan to regulate the operational tempo and the supply of our troops.

Instead, the U.S. should be moving toward a policy that shifts the burden of Afghanistan stability to the regional players who have thwarted our efforts there and adopt a strategy that exploits our technological advantages to counter growing Chinese sophistication and ambition through augmented U.S. naval and air power projection and the selective use of covert, special operations and cyber warfare operations.

The foremost regional problem is to have a workable plan to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, which is growing more dangerous because of its expanding tactical nuclear weapons program.

The United States is not without strategic options to disrupt Chinese hegemony. The linchpin of BRI is CPEC. Pakistan’s main vulnerability remains ethnic separatism, which was largely the reason Pakistan adopted a program of Islamization in the late 1970s. Pakistan is the Yugoslavia of South Asia with the Pakistani province of Punjab as the equivalent of Serbia, when that country pursued an expansionist policy in the 1990s.

For example, BRI cannot succeed without CPEC and CPEC cannot succeed without a subservient Balochistan, a province with a festering insurgency that was once independent and secular before it was forcibly incorporated into Pakistan. Balochistan is also where Pakistan maintains a significant Taliban infrastructure and provides safe haven to its Quetta Shura leaders.

There clearly needs to be a sense of urgency applied to this challenge because current U.S. policy in Afghanistan is about to be overtaken by events.

An American withdrawal from Afghanistan will only be a humiliating defeat if the United States is forced into strategic retreat because we do not have a plan in place to address the changing regional conditions.

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## Comments

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HRClinton Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:17 Permalink

Panda bear gives birth to... Pakibear?

This is inconvenient to the US Army and USN.

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Fiat Pirate HRClinton Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:20 Permalink

The Chicoms and Islam. Oh yea that will work. /sarc

In reply to Pakibear? by HRClinton

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Zero Point Fiat Pirate Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:33 Permalink

I wish those two bedfellows all the best into the future lol.

In reply to The Chicoms and Islam. Oh… by Fiat Pirate

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stizazz Zero Point Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:39 Permalink

CHANGE is coming because the world hates the US.

They hate the US because of one simple factor.

In reply to I wish those two bedfellows… by Zero Point

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Nekoti stizazz Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:03 Permalink

Fuck off troll.

In reply to Yep by stizazz

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JimmyJones Nekoti Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:50 Permalink

This is the new alignment, US, Indian, vs China Pakistan. I bet Russia sides with the US in the next 3 or 4 years. Europe is going to have some major internal issues.

Watch how much money flows into India over the next decade, it's going to be huge.

In reply to Fuck off troll. by Nekoti

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07564111 JimmyJones Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:54 Permalink

___I bet Russia sides with the US in the next 3 or 4 years___

You'll be dead and buried for 1000 years before that happens.

In reply to This is the new alignment,… by JimmyJones

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Nekoti JimmyJones Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:59 Permalink

Fuck Europe. Would love to see U.S., Russia hookup,two Cuacasion nations allied together. Unstoppable.

In reply to This is the new alignment,… by JimmyJones

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Nekoti Zero Point Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:03 Permalink

The U.S. should wash their hands of the Pakistanis. Let China concern over them.

In reply to I wish those two bedfellows… by Zero Point

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07564111 Nekoti Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:56 Permalink

LoL...The US never had any concern for Pakistan..it was all about containing China and Russia and getting a piece in the center of the world island.

In reply to The U.S. should wash their… by Nekoti

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ChaoKrungThep Fiat Pirate Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:13 Permalink

Ignorance is no excuse these days, FP. The Chinese will trade with anyone, no proselytizing like whacko Bible thumping Yanks. The bases are to protect trade routes from inevitable US attack or blockade. As always, thinking ahead.

In reply to The Chicoms and Islam. Oh… by Fiat Pirate

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BlussMann ChaoKrungThep Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:37 Permalink

The Yanks are becoming a bit too Gay for the rest of the "backward" world. I see Paki and Chinee cooperating better than Gay Americans and anyone else.

In reply to Ignorance is no excuse these… by ChaoKrungThep

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RedBaron616 HRClinton Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:33 Permalink

I don't think the USN cares about Pakistan. China doesn't really have much of a blue water navy yet.

In reply to Pakibear? by HRClinton

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Jack Oliver RedBaron616 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:54 Permalink

They hardly need a NAVY - they have Russia !

If the Zio/US want to push Russia’s ‘buttons’ - well - the Zio/US won’t have a FUCKING navy either !!

The idiotic USrael will then be completely FUCKED !!

In reply to I don't think the USN cares… by RedBaron616

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Omen IV RedBaron616 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:07 Permalink

They care - just as much as Turkey - then they lost it - same with Pakistan - lost - then Afghanistan / Iraq / Libya - all gone

20 Trillion spent since 1950 on war and the preparation for war and nothing to show for it except MIC profits

In reply to I don't think the USN cares… by RedBaron616

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business as stusual RedBaron616 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:15 Permalink

If all your trade routes are land based, what need do you have for a huge blue water navy? This was always the plan for the Belt and Road Initiative. The sooner we have a multi polar world, the better.

In reply to I don't think the USN cares… by RedBaron616

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gatorengineer business as stusual Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:31 Permalink

More symbolic than anything. All of Chinese manufacturing is within 100 miles or so of the pacific. To drag stuff all the way to pakistan, is more of a stick it to India than anything meaningful..... Only so many italian table cloths can go to Saudi

In reply to If all your trade routes are… by business as stusual

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Fascal Rascal … gatorengineer Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:58 Permalink

What happens when Americans stop buying made in china shit..

oh yea.. pakis will pick up the slack..

nuff said.

except for FUCK CHINA!!

that’s all it’ll take.

AND... that is where we are heading.

it’s about fucking time.

In reply to More symbolic than anything… by gatorengineer

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ChaoKrungThep RedBaron616 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:15 Permalink

Navies so last century. The Brits haven't worked that out, and the stupid Yanks haven't either.

In reply to I don't think the USN cares… by RedBaron616

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stizazz HRClinton Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:38 Permalink

Yep

In reply to Pakibear? by HRClinton

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limpinalien69 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:20 Permalink

Choke the jUSA (ju S A).

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ZENDOG Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:27 Permalink

China moves,,,,the US sits on it's lazy, fat ass and whines about Russia.

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RedBaron616 ZENDOG Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:31 Permalink

Why should we care about Pakistan? Not OUR problem. Russia isn't either.

In reply to China moves,,,,the US sits… by ZENDOG

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business as stusual RedBaron616 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:16 Permalink

When you keep your head in the sand, your ass is ripe for invasion.

In reply to Why should we care about… by RedBaron616

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Zero Point ZENDOG Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:35 Permalink

If you can call fighting multiple wars and having military bases in basically every country on earth "sitting on it's ass", then your comment ISN'T completely retarded.

In reply to China moves,,,,the US sits… by ZENDOG

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refill6times Zero Point Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:40 Permalink

I ask, for what purpose?

If for to show the flag, then yeah, useless.

Americans have forgotten Tuco.

"If your gonna shoot, shoot, dont talk"

In reply to If you can call fighting… by Zero Point

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Zero Point refill6times Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:02 Permalink

What purpose? Have IQs dropped sharply? Empire building. Fuck me. Fuckin nursery school here today.

In reply to I ask, for what purpose?… by refill6times

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ZENDOG Zero Point Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:53 Permalink

And what you have mentioned, is a TOTAL FUCKING WASTE OF TIME, LIFE AND MONEY.........The U.S. is fucked. You are on the Titanic prior to the Iceberg.

In reply to If you can call fighting… by Zero Point

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Zero Point ZENDOG Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:00 Permalink

Duh, no shit it's a waste fuckhead. But calling it sitting on your hands is fucking idiotic. Those hands are very, very busy, and saying different is stupid to the point of dangerous. It also shows the mental gymnastics you're going through, to say that China doing similar things is positive and "active". It's just as big a waste, and just as fuckin stupid, just on a monumentally smaller scale.

In reply to And what you have mentioned,… by ZENDOG

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DillyDilly Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:29 Permalink

All those Chinese & Pakistani 'white faced' jews must have to work double overtime to fool GOY these days...

I'm glad I'm just a simple 'unworthy' asshole...

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RedBaron616 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:30 Permalink

"The United States is not without strategic options to disrupt Chinese hegemony."

Yes, no doubt the MIC needs to be feed more. How predictable. Let the Chinese have Pakistan. They can have Afghanistan as well. Why should we care? Not OUR problem!

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refill6times RedBaron616 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:55 Permalink

+100

In reply to "The United States is not… by RedBaron616

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Jack Oliver RedBaron616 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:58 Permalink

CIA can’t wean themselves off Afghanistan’s HEROIN !!

They are addicted to the MONEY !!!

In reply to "The United States is not… by RedBaron616

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refill6times Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:35 Permalink

So... 500 yrs later, whos the new Khan?

Why does all this nation building happen en-camera?

Who has the balls?

Who has the personal nerve and conviction to convince a people to follow his desires and dreams in totality?

Who are the Pyramid Builders of today?

Who can drive humans to do that which they themselves cannot do themselves?

Those that built the wall that has lasted thousands of years had no idea of its purpose, only the task.

That is why it is called Great.

Today, we are weak, poor, hopeless. Aimless.

Send us another Khan.

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refill6times refill6times Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:07 Permalink

If I may reply and add to my previous.

To prove ourselves greater than our time, we should, as North Americans, pay more attention to South Americans, we may become better for the effort.

What happens elsewhere, well, happens elsewhere.

In reply to So... 500 yrs later, whos… by refill6times

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ZangotheMagnificent1 Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:36 Permalink

Jee ... ANOTHER "roadmap to geopolitical dominance" paranoia. BOO! US surrounding Russia with micro states. BOO! BOO! China Sea dominance by China. Meanwhile the real win is the profits being earned by US and European and Asia companies. THAT'S the game that counts.

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veritas semper… Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:40 Permalink

China already owns one very important Paki port,Gwadar.

In 2015, it was announced that the city and port would be further developed under CPEC at a cost of $1.62 billion,[4] with the aim of linking northern Pakistan and western China to the deep water seaport.[5] The port will also be the site of a floating liquefied natural gas facility that will be built as part of the larger $2.5 billion Gwadar-Nawabshah segment of the Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline project.[6] Construction began in June 2016 on the Gwadar Special Economic Zone, which is being built on 2,292 acre site adjacent to Gwadar's port.[7] In late 2015, the port was officially leased to China for 43 years, until 2059

ALL on OBOR project.

And .... gasp....this is the port that JUSA uses for supply lines for Afghanistan.

See how this works ,kids?

We can expect lots and lots of dead US mercenaries,sorry,soldiers . After 17 years of US illegal occupation and war in Afghanistan ,for NO REASON (well ,apart from stopping TAPI pipeline,poppies and heroin,opposing OBOR, opening a front against Iran ,from the North)

Do you understand now US desperation? And recent increases in troops? And declaring Pakistan as terrorist sponsor? (when Pakistan was our ally ,it was not a terrorist sponsor)

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refill6times veritas semper… Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:10 Permalink

+1

some build

others destroy.

In reply to China already owns one very… by veritas semper…

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the doc Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:42 Permalink

Can Taliban be useful ally against Chinese takeover of Pakistan?

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gatorengineer the doc Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:34 Permalink

Chicommunism and Muzzy wont work... Chinks shoot heroin dealers...... Heroin, gas station attendants and suicide bombers are the only things Pakistan produces.

In reply to Can Taliban be useful ally… by the doc

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Kagemusho Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:50 Permalink

The Chinese are following the old Roman General Fabius's modus operandi to a 'T'. Go slow, out-flank, then box-in. Only they're doing it on a planetary scale. And they just might succeed.

That is, if their own debt bubble bursting doesn't cause an economic collapse at home and lead to one abroad. This is as much desperation as it is hubris.

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apocalypticbrother Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:52 Permalink

Shit. Wasnt that where they found Bin Laden the 911 mastermind? Crazy world...

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veritas semper… apocalypticbrother Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:22 Permalink

Ask nmewn about this .He's the expert in ObL second death.

In reply to Shit. Wasnt that where they… by apocalypticbrother

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booty_malone Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:54 Permalink

China can start being the world police in the islamic world as they have lots of excess men. How long will it take for body bags to start heading to China from Paki?

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Twee Surgeon Sat, 03/03/2018 - 20:57 Permalink

Let's hope they have a lot of babies together.

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Captain Nemo d… Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:24 Permalink

The Chinese move into Pakistan is a welcome one. It will ensure Pakistan does not become a full-blown fanatic country and may even become less so after working in close contact with the Communists. To those who say it is already a full-blown fanatic country, note that in all these years it has not raised a peep about Xinjiang. In fact it has used its position in the religion to actually provide cover to China by supporting their position. It has also moved uncharacteristically fast whenever the locals have attacked any Chinese, or Chinese interests. Hehehe.

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WTFUD Captain Nemo d… Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:55 Permalink

Since the US Government decided that the AID to Pakistan (Military ) would be cut then a few Oligarch's ( Local Tribal Elders ) got together and said China's deal is more reflective of, in line, with our future ambitions.

Nationalise the Poppy Fields and kick-out al-CIAd'uh.

In reply to The Chinese move into… by Captain Nemo d…

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Able Ape Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:33 Permalink

Well, the US has spent Trillions in areas across the world and hasn't got so much as a kewpie doll to show for it. If that isn't stupidity writ large, I don't know what is!... Of course the MIC has profited handsomely while the general populace gets left holding the bag yet cheers loudly, "USA, USA..." - not exactly indicative of a stellar IQ...

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WTFUD Able Ape Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:48 Permalink

'twas fun while it lasted, though . . . . the gravy always runs out before the turkey meat and the US is now left feeding off the carcass.

Did you know there's a gun, err, 3 million opiates, for every American citizen?

In reply to Well, the US has spent… by Able Ape

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Wahooo Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:35 Permalink

China needs to put a military base in israel

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