China denies building naval bases in the Indian Ocean

According to an online report by The Economic Times, China's Ministry of National Defense said on November 27 that the Chinese submarine's docking at Colombo Port (Sri Lanka) was a normal move, and said that reports that China was establishing 18 naval bases in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar and other places in the western and southern Indian Ocean were "groundless."

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Geng Yansheng confirmed that the information was “inaccurate” and that Chinese navy submarines had “technically anchored” twice at Colombo port while escorting anti-piracy vessels in the Gulf of Aden.

Beijing asserted that the Chinese navy submarine docking at Colombo port was a normal move. (Photo: todayonline.com)

The Chinese submarine’s arrival at Colombo port has raised concerns in India, as the port has been upgraded with large Chinese funding, the newspaper said. India has raised the issue with Sri Lanka, while China is currently building another port in Hambanthota, southern Sri Lanka./.

According to VNA