海外保障基地(hǎiwài bǎozhàng jīdì): Overseas logistics base

The Chinese People's Liberation Army's logistics base in Djibouti came into service on Tuesday, the 90th anniversary of the PLA's founding. Representatives of both countries attended a flag-raising ceremony at the base.

The logistics base is located near the southern entrance to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and it is the PLA's first overseas logistics base.

Djibouti, a comparatively stable and safe country in Africa with a population of 960,000, is located where Europe, Africa and Asia meet, which means it is of great economic and military significance. The United States, France and Japan all have bases in Djibouti.

The PLA logistics base in Djibouti has been established to support its escort and peacekeeping missions and humanitarian relief work in the Gulf of Aden and sea off Somalia.

The PLA has been participating in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the United Nations peacekeeping missions for a long time. The PLA's logistics base is only a few miles away from Camp Lemonnier, US permanent naval base in Djibouti.