Opinion Foreign Bases

He also recalls that China has sent troops abroad since the Communist republic was established in 1949. With realist candour,Shen suggests “it is baseless to say that we will not set up any military bases in future because we have never sent troops abroad”. Having affirmed the right to have bases like other powers and reminding his compatriots that China has intervened abroad,Shen lays out the strategic rationale for acquiring bases: the protection of the people and fortunes overseas; guaranteeing smooth trading; prevention of intervention against Chinese foreign interests,and supporting the operations of China’s future blue water navy.

Shen lays out three considerations that must guide China’s future plans to acquire military bases. The first is that any Chinese foreign military base must be in line with the interests of the host nation. Second,Beijing must also assess the potential reaction of neighbours where it might establish a base. “If the base troops can maintain regional stability”,Shen believes,China’s presence will be welcome. Third is the impact on great power relations,for Shen recognises that “it is inevitable for some countries to suspect our good intentions”. Shen concludes with the observation that,“currently America,France and Britain own a majority of troop bases in the world. Yet China seldom felt threatened by the military bases set up by Britain and France. Therefore,we have no reasons to feel that the military bases we set up will agitate other countries.”

Where’s MoD?

Replace the word “China” with “India”,much of Shen’s argument would apply to India. There is no sign,however,that the Indian defence establishment is analoguously debating the great new challenges to its security policy.

While China modernises its armed forces,strengthens domestic defence production,aggressively acquires foreign military technology,and pursues a vigorous military diplomacy,our own Ministry of Defence seems paralysed. Whether it is in building border roads,fast-tracking arms acquisition,taking advantage of relations with great powers,or responding to new challenges in the areas of space and cyber-security,our Ministry of Defence seems to have lost the plot.

There might be reasons for the UPA to turn a blind eye to the current drift in the Ministry of Defence. The costs of this sleepwalking,however,might be huge and haunt the UPA government sooner than later.

Trading Places

Imposing sanctions against foreign “entities” has long been part of Washington’s foreign policy tool kit. China has now appropriated the policy to put the US on the defensive.

The US,for example,has targeted companies that do certain types of business with Iran. In the wake of Washington’s decision to renew arms sales to Taiwan,Beijing plans to impose sanctions against the US arms companies involved. Beijing hopes that pressure from corporations like Boeing might do more to stop DC from antagonising China than any protest note to the State Department.

The writer is Kissinger Chair in Foreign Policy and International Relations at the Library of Congress,Washington DC