pankajs wrote: Bases for show is good but a base for operation especially sustained operation is a different ball game. That is why I would be more concerned with Hanbantota or Gwadar which provide adequate hinterland backing the bases. Even Gwadar fails on one criteria and that makes it venerable to enemy action. [Hint: Both India and China had rushed to help Maldives out wrt a particular issue sometime in the last 2 years. That issue is relevant to Gwadar and Maldives but not Hambantota, at least not as far as I can tell but I haven't researched]
pankajs, In November 2014, the Namibian Times leaked an official Chinese report that talked of 18 foreign naval bases in such places as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Djibouti, Yemen, Oman, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Seychelles, Madagascar and Namibia.
If we take that report to be true (there could be a reason why an obscure Namibian Times was chosen to leak the report), Djibouti is the first of these bases recently commissioned. In early December 2015, China and Djibouti signed a 10-year lease agreement for the base that will hold 700 troops at any time for an annual rent of USD 100 million. In July last year, the base was officially opened. The others are at various stages of happening from the regular reports that we read. Therefore, the Namibian Times' report appears to be true.
These bases were categorized into three: a First Group consisting of Aden Port, Djibouti Port (both at Bab-el-Mandeb), and Salalah Port (Oman). These ports will be used only for logistics supply. Most of the 18 ports would naturally fall under this category. Logistics could also involve storage for ammunition. A Second group, meant for logistics supply plus naval personnel Rest & Recreation. Currently only Seychelles falls under this category. A Third Group which is meant for Logistics Supply, Rest & Recreation and Weaponry Repairing. Currently, only Gwadar falls under this category.
Hambanatota is meant for logistics only, particularly for fuelling. The Chinese firm, China Merchants Port Holdings, which would hold a 70% stake in the project for a 99-year lease, would handle all the port operations while security for the port would be provided by the Sri Lankan government.