PROTECTING CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE: BASE EXPANSION TO LATIN AMERICA

This thesis is a comparative analysis of China’s influence in Djibouti and Panama. Specifically, this thesis asks what economic, political, and security factors contributed to the establishment of China’s first overseas military base in Djibouti, whether these factors are found in Panama, and, if so, what explains the absence of a Chinese military base, or simply security cooperation, in Panama to date. Djibouti and Panama are both positioned at strategic waterways—the Bab al Mandeb and Panama Canal, respectively. China has economic interests in both Africa and Latin America and has stated it will extend its military to protect these interests. This thesis found that China has economic interests and influence in both Djibouti and Panama, but Panama does not have well-established political or security relations with China, as Djibouti does. China opened diplomatic relations with Djibouti in 1979, but China only opened diplomatic relations with Panama in 2017. Moreover, China does not have an apparent military relationship with Panama, while Panama’s Public Force has worked with the United States in bilateral security interests revolving around the Panama Canal. This may explain why China has not yet established a military relationship with Panama. Nonetheless, China’s rapidly growing economic influence in Panama may weaken U.S. economic, political, and security influence in Latin America.http://archive.org/details/protectingchinas1094564905Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited