China has expressed interest in establishing military bases in Pakistan and Bangladesh as part of a broader strategy to extend the global reach of the People’s Liberation Army, according to a new assessment by the United States Congress. The China Military Power Report (CMPR) 2025 highlights both countries as potential locations where Beijing would like to station forces to secure access to vital sea lines of communication and enhance its ability to project and sustain military power far from its shores.
The report, mandated annually by the US Congress and prepared by the Department of Defense, says Chinese planners view overseas bases as critical to protecting trade routes, safeguarding energy supplies, and supporting naval operations in the Indian Ocean region. Pakistan and Bangladesh are singled out for their strategic geography, offering proximity to busy maritime corridors linking East Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
According to the CMPR, a permanent or semi-permanent PLA presence in either country would significantly improve China’s ability to support long-distance deployments, conduct replenishment and maintenance operations, and respond rapidly to regional contingencies. Such facilities would also complement China’s existing overseas base in Djibouti, which has already expanded Beijing’s operational footprint near key chokepoints connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The report places particular emphasis on Pakistan, describing the long-standing military and strategic partnership between Islamabad and Beijing as a foundation for deeper cooperation. China has invested heavily in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, including port infrastructure at Gwadar, which US analysts have repeatedly flagged as having potential dual-use military applications. While both governments have denied plans for a Chinese military base there, the CMPR suggests the option remains under consideration.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, is identified as another country of interest due to its location along the Bay of Bengal. The report notes China’s growing defense ties with Dhaka, including arms sales, training exchanges, and infrastructure development, which could provide Beijing with leverage and access in the future. A PLA facility in Bangladesh would strengthen China’s presence near the eastern Indian Ocean and increase its ability to monitor and influence regional maritime activity.
US officials and lawmakers view these potential bases as part of China’s broader effort to challenge American and allied influence in the Indo-Pacific. The CMPR argues that overseas basing is essential to Beijing’s ambition of transforming the PLA into a “world-class military” capable of operating globally, not just within East Asia.
Neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh has publicly acknowledged any discussions about hosting Chinese military bases. However, the report warns that even limited access agreements, such as port calls, logistics hubs, or rotational deployments, could gradually evolve into more permanent arrangements.
