When China opened its first-ever overseas military base in Djibouti just days ago, Asia’s pre-eminent power was declaring in no uncertain terms that it will sit on the side-lines no longer. Coinciding with the 90th birthday of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, the base was merely the latest display of China’s deepening involvement in the Horn of Africa’s security. For years, it has been testing, refining and growing its clout in turbulent South Sudan—an indication that its adherence to the longstanding policy of non-interference is becoming less doctrinaire.
中國日前在吉布地正式啓用第一個海外軍事基地,這個亞洲強國確定無疑地宣告,自己不再坐在場邊觀望。當天適逢中國的解放軍建軍90週年,該基地只是中國加深參與「非洲之角」安全事務的最新展示。多年來,中國一直在動盪的南蘇丹試驗、完善和擴大影響力——顯示出其長期堅持的不干涉政策正在鬆動。