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Description

This article analyzes China’s emerging strategy for establishing overseas strategic support points to safeguard its expanding economic, energy, and security interests. Through case studies of Gwadar (Pakistan), Djibouti, Darwin (Australia), and Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), the authors highlight China’s approach of low-profile, mutually beneficial engagement rather than overt militarization. The study underscores the strategic importance of these locations for protecting sea lines of communication, supporting naval operations, and enabling China’s “Going Out” strategy in trade, influence, and military presence. The authors argue that China’s overseas support points reflect a deliberate, long-term strategy balancing national ambitions, host-country sensitivities, and external geopolitical pressures, particularly from the U.S. and regional competitors. Policymakers should recognize China’s expansion as incremental, strategically selective, and framed to minimize confrontation while maximizing influence.

Publication Date

12-1-2015

Publisher

China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S Naval War College

City

Newport, Rhode Island

Keywords

China Maritime Studies Institute, CMSI, Overseas strategic support points, Gwadar Port, Djibouti base, Port of Darwin, Kota Kinabalu, Belt and Road Initiative, Malacca Dilemma, Overseas interests, Open seas protection, Sino-Pakistan corridor

CMSI Archive Translation: Making and Breaking the Status Quo: China’s Overseas Strategic Support Points

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