China eyeing Sri Lanka as part of its supply chain - US

COLOMBO (News 1st); An annual report by the US Department of Defence to the US Congress details that China is considering using Sri Lanka as part of its global military supply chain.

The report by the US Department of Defence to the US Congress is titled "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China."

The report notes that the People’s Republic of China probably also has considered 18 countries including Sri Lanka as locations for People’s Liberation Army’s military logistics facilities.

It added that the PRC is seeking to expand its overseas logistics and basing infrastructure to allow the PLA to project and sustain military power at greater distances. 

If realized, a global PLA military logistics network could disrupt U.S. military operations as the PRC’s global military objectives evolve. 

The report says that beyond the PLA support base in Djibouti, the PRC is very likely already considering and planning for additional military logistics facilities to support naval, air, and ground forces projection. 

The report also revealed that in June 2022, a PRC official confirmed that the PLA would have access to parts of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base.