Chinese Troops in Seychelles: An Analysis

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13:37 GMT, January 8, 2012 The republic of Seychelles has come in news with the stationing of the Chinese troops in Mahe. The archipelago nation is located at a strategic location as it lies in the path of major shipping lines. This has raised a pertinent question as to what has provoked China to station troops in Seychelles. Is piracy the only reason for this or there are other ulterior motives behind the stationing of the troops?

It is not the first time that China is stationing its troops in Seychelles, China - Seychelles relations date back to 1976. Defence cooperation between Seychelles and China started in October 2004. As a part of the military cooperation agreement in 2004, China is already training fifty Seychelles People's Defence Forces (SPDF) soldiers. In addition, the Chinese Navy's hospital Ship- Peace Ark visited Seychelles in November 2010 and two Chinese frigates visited in April 2011 for the first time.

The President of Seychelles visited China to mark 35 years of diplomatic relations in October 2011. And as a part of their military ties, they gifted the SPDF two Y-12 aircraft for surveillance and anti-piracy. As a part of their larger diplomatic ties Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie visited Seychelles, on 3 December 2011, with his 40 member delegation. As an effort to combat piracy in the region the republic of Seychelles, invited the Chinese troops on their land. The nature of these troops will be limited to naval fleet only. Nevertheless these troops are not to protect the supply stop in Seychelles and will seek supplies or recuperate in escort missions.

China already has the resupply facilities in Djibouti, Oman and Yemen since 2008 in the Gulf of Aden and it has not established a military base there.

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