BEIJING: A recent report has claimed that China's naval base in the East African country of Djibouti is fully equipped and a warship has been deployed here. A national media released the news along with satellite images.

The report regarding China's naval base in Djibouti came up while China's spy ship with satellite and missile surveillance capabilities arrived in Sri Lanka's Hambantota port causing concern to India. The military base in Djibouti is China's first overseas military base. It was built at a cost of $590 million. Construction has been ongoing in this region since 2016. The base is located in the strategic Bab-el-Mandab Strait, which separates the Gulf of Aden from the Red Sea. It is near the Suez Canal, which is crucial for international maritime trade.

The naval base has been built in such a way that it can survive attacks from outside. The Chinese warship has been deployed in a 320-meter-long berthing area. 'Changbai Shan' can carry 800 troops, military vehicles and helicopters.