Chinese dual-use facilities in Myanmar and Sri Lanka

Subject : International Relations

Concept :

China’s investment in dual-use facilities in Myanmar and Sri Lanka has raised concerns and created unease among its neighbours about China’s growing influence in the region and the potential security implications of these projects.
Myanmar is building a military installation on Coco Islands and there is a proposal for the establishment of a remote satellite receiving ground station in Sri Lanka, both with the assistance of China.
This has prompted apprehension in India about potential surveillance throughout the area.

Details

These projects are seen as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build infrastructure across Asia and beyond to enhance China’s economic and strategic interests.
One of the most controversial projects is the Kyaukpyu deep-sea port in Rakhine state, which is strategically located near the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
Many have raised concerns about the project’s potential military uses and the fact that it could give China a strategic foothold in the region.
Recent satellite images show the construction of a military facility on Coco Islands, located very close to the Andaman and Nicobar island chain.
The island is being connected to the southern landmass using a new bridge that is 175 m in length and approximately 8 m wide.
China has also proposed setting up a remote satellite receiving ground station system in Sri Lanka in collaboration.
Satellite tracking facilities are inherently dual use in nature, and the Chinese civil space programme is known to work closely with the Chinese military.

Coco Islands

Coco Islands are a small group of Islands located In the North-Eastern part of Bay Of Bengal. It Is Situated 30 Miles North to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Group Of India, to 250 Km South of the Burmese Mainland and 1255 Km South-East of Kolkata.
North of this Island Group lies Preparis Island also belonging to Myanmar, and to the South lies the land for Island belonging to India.
Coco Island Group consists of four islands on the Great Coco Reef and another Rai Coco Island on the Little Coco Reef.
Coco Channel separates India’s Andman Islands and Coco Islands of Myanmar.