Voice of Djibouti

LATEST LY May 20 2018 Beijing, May 20: The Chinese air force has landed long-range bombers on islands and reefs in the South China Sea. According to the country’s air force, the landing of bombers in South China Sea region is a part of a training exercise. It is for the first time that the Chinese air force bombers landed in the region. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force conducted takeoff and landing training with the H-6K bomber in the South China Sea. China is involved in many disputes with smaller countries in the region. The main reason for the dispute is an expansive policy...

Asia.Nikkei.com 15 May 2018 China’s President Xi Jinping promises that his Belt and Road Initiative, a sweeping vision to put China at the center of the global economy through new infrastructure, trade deals and other connections, was a “plan in the sunshine.” But make no mistake, the BRI’s outlook is darkening. Critics — including some of Beijing’s actual and potential partners — are raising concerns about transparency, debt sustainability and usefulness, as well as questioning China’s underlying strategic aims. Blowback from the BRI’s aggressive...

Somaliland Press 13 May 2018 THE United States and China are squaring up over military strength in Africa, but Russia may be set to upstage them both on the continent’s busiest sea lane. News agencies in Somaliland report that Moscow has “been in talks at some depth” with this unrecognised country that broke away from Somalia in 1991, but has failed to win recognition. Stable, democratic and at peace for most of its 27 years, the former territory of British Somaliland has tried in vain to gain support from the United States. But sources in the capital, Hargeisa say Vladimir Putin may establish...

Eurasia review By Harsh V Pant*the Eurasia review 12 May 2018 As Sino-Indian competition for influence in the Indian Ocean region heats up, India suffered a setback in the Seychelles, due mostly to local politics rather than Chinese resistance. Still, India will seek other avenues in the region to bolster its position. In January, India signed a 20-year pact with the nation to build an airstrip and a jetty for its navy on Assumption Island, due north of Madagascar – pursuant to deal made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a 2015 visit to the Seychelles. New Delhi agreed to invest...