China sends troops to its 'support base' in East Africa 

Ships carrying Chinese troops tasked with setting up the country's first overseas military base are steaming towards the East African nation of Djibouti. China calls its new facility a 'support base' and says it will have mainly logistical functions, however observers see it as a key part of Beijing’s plans to expand its global reach through military might. India in particular views the base with suspicion as New Delhi is concerned that China is confronting it with a ‘ring of pe