MDP welcomes China’s denial of military plans for Laamu Atoll
26 Jan 2015, 12:41 PM
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has welcomed the statement by the Embassy of China in Maldives refuting claims by former President Mohamed Nasheed that a military facility was being planned in Laamu Atoll.
Denying suggestions that the Maldivian government planned to hand over large parts of the atoll under the Special Economic Zones Act, the embassy stated yesterday (25 January) that China “pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature” and that it “does not maintain any military in any foreign country”.
In a statement released yesterday evening, the MDP noted that China had a record of protecting its interest in primary markets with military facilities.
The statement went on to offer the example of the Chinese defence ministry announcing in December 2011 that its naval fleet “may seek supplies or recuperate” in harbours of the Seychelles during escort missions.
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