Chinese military bases are about more than just naval supplies and protecting trade routes

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012By HARSH V. PANT

LONDON — So finally it is out in the open. China will be setting up its first military base abroad in Seychelles to "seek supplies and recuperate" facilities for its navy.

The Indian Ocean island nation has defended its decision by suggesting that it has invited China to set up a military base to tackle piracy off its coast and Beijing has played it down by underlining that it is standard global practice for naval fleets to re-supply at the closest port

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