Russia and China veto US proposal for UN experts to keep monitoring sanctions on Iran

China recently enhanced its military base in Djibouti, a move that could significantly improve its capacity to monitor military activities in the Middle East and Africa, according to a US think tank report released on Thursday. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported that commercial satellite imagery revealed new antennas, satellite communications equipment, and other assets installed at the base, which serves as China's only formally acknowledged overseas military outpost.

The new installations, including two communications compounds added since mid-2024, are likely part of a larger intelligence and military command architecture. These facilities, with their varied types and orientations, enable transmission and detection across a wide array of signals and frequencies, according to the report. This setup will provide China with a more comprehensive understanding of the region's operating environment, enhancing its ability to gather crucial intelligence.

Djibouti, strategically located near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most significant maritime choke points, has been a vital hub for China's naval operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea since its base opened in 2017. The CSIS report suggests that these upgrades will likely bolster the Chinese military's ability to monitor the activities of neighboring militaries, though it's unclear if they are currently intercepting communications.

The US, France, Italy, and Japan all operate bases within a 16 km radius of China's facility, underscoring the competitive landscape in the region. Despite this, China could still glean valuable insights from encrypted military communications, observing signal direction, origin, frequency, and pace to draw conclusions about the operations of US and other militaries.

Furthermore, the base could bolster China's growing footprint in Africa, where Beijing has been intensifying its economic and security engagements on the continent.