ValueWalk quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the inevitability of China establishing military bases in Africa:
Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council believes the establishment of a base in Djibouti by China is to be expected given the latter’s economic role in Africa. Additionally such a base would greatly improve Beijing’s intelligence gathering capabilities in the region. Pham said “If China establishes itself as a fellow protector of the global commons, then it certainly increases its stature.”