Since its first continuous deployment to the Indian Ocean in 2008, China has significantly increased its regional activities. Along with securing its interests, Beijing has established itself and its capabilities in the area, anticipating any potential future conflict in the Western Pacific.
The Indian Ocean is an important theatre for China’s energy imports from the Middle East. It is also critical for Beijing’s broader maritime ambitions and to continue engagements with Africa, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. While there is a growing debate on a potential Taiwan Strait crisis and China’s increasing capabilities in the Western Pacific, what is the role of the Indian Ocean, if any?
These infographics review China’s engagements across the Indian Ocean between 2007 and April 2025 through military exercises, arms sales, infrastructure development and a seabed-exploration contract.
China conducts a range of air, land and maritime exercises with partners along the Indian Ocean coastline.
China’s exercises (which do not include port visits or passing exercises) are primarily bilateral, with some being trilateral or multilateral.
China’s military exercises have expanded across the Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea to the Malacca Strait.
China has held maritime exercises with Iran and Russia every year between 2022 and 2025.
China has deployed assets with anti-submarine warfare capabilities. These assets are located close to key chokepoints.
Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates are the primary recipients of China’s arms sales.
Since 2017, most of China’s infrastructure projects in the Indian Ocean have focused on the eastern coast of Africa and the western Indian Ocean islands.
China has a seabed-exploration contract for critical minerals in the southwest Indian Ocean.
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