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Djibouti

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Djibouti. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Djibouti City

Head of State

President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh

Head of Government

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

Chinese and Lao military personnel attend the opening of a joint humanitarian medical exercise in Vientiane earlier this month. Photo: Xinhua

China’s military

China expands overseas military presence with new Laos air force centre

Beijing says jointly operated facilities at Ban Keun Airport will support pilot training and deepen cooperation between the two militaries.

50 minutes ago

China-Africa relations

Djibouti base upgrade may give PLA eyes on foreign military in Middle East

21 Sep 2026 - 9:16PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

As rival navies turn away, Beijing faces a Somalia test

19 Sep 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Is Africa becoming a ‘testing ground’ for Chinese power projection?

PLA pilots trained against Rafales in the latest joint exercise, reflecting a decades-long expansion of activity on the continent.

19 Sep 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

China is putting its armed forces to the test through joint drills, peacekeeping missions and Gulf of Aden anti-piracy operations, according to analysts. Photo: Xinhua

Middle East

Houthis hit Saudi base amid renewed fighting with Yemen government forces

The rebels have cemented their hold on the Bab el-Mandab Strait, which has become a key route for oil exports after Iran’s Hormuz blockade.

13 Sep 2026 - 10:15AM

Science

China’s AI weather warning system Mazu expanding across Global South

The system has been designed to provide ‘tailored’ services that help developing countries better prepare for extreme weather events.

19 Jul 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

My Take

My Take | How China’s rare missile test sparked hysterical hypocrisy

Western pundits were quick to denounce Beijing. But far more frequent US launches rate barely a mention.

13 Jul 2026 - 9:01AM

A long-range ballistic missile bursts out of the sea during a test launched from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine in the South Pacific on July 6, 2026. Photo: Xinhua via AP

China-Africa relations

China’s port role in Africa extends far beyond docks: study

The Africa Centre for Strategic Studies says Chinese firms are deeply embedded across the continent’s maritime networks.

4 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

Africa

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:13PM

United States

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:32AM

US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: EPA

US-China relations

US tracks 23 Chinese port projects in Latin America, general tells Congress

Top US commander says Chinese port and space projects across Latin America are all seen as potential dual-use military assets.

18 Mar 2026 - 5:08AMvideocam

General Francis Donovan, head of US Southern Command, oversees US military operations across Latin America and the Caribbean. Photo: AFP

China trade

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:02PM

US-China relations

Opinion | Beijing must be clear-eyed about its national interests abroad

As the US disrupts international norms, China should reconsider its place in the world system to protect its overseas investments.

1 Feb 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Israel

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland enrages Somalia, African Union

Several other countries also condemned Israel’s decision and Trump stated his opposition to US recognition of the breakaway state.

27 Dec 2025 - 10:14AM

A man holds a flag of Somaliland in front of the Hargeisa War Memorial monument in Hargeisa. Somaliland’s president on Friday welcomed Israel’s announcement that it was recognising its statehood. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Somali piracy has waned, so why is China’s navy still in the Gulf of Aden?

China sends task force to deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean to train personnel, test ships and equipment in harsh ocean conditions.

26 Oct 2025 - 4:37PMvideocam

A Chinese naval fleet headed for the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters sets sail earlier this month from its port in Qingdao, China. Photo: Weibo

Green finance

Hong Kong bolsters green finance hub role with new global building certificates

City’s Green Building Council issues first BEAM Plus global certificate to a complex in the East African country of Djibouti.

6 Oct 2025 - 7:30AM

Africa

Ethiopia opens Africa’s largest dam amid Egyptian protest

The project is set to provide energy to millions in the region but is seen by Cairo as an existential threat that endangers its water supply.

10 Sep 2025 - 1:09PM

Belt and Road Initiative

China’s Xi Jinping wants more Luban Workshops worldwide – but what are they?

The vocational education programme, a less well-known project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has been brought up in several speeches.

2 Sep 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

Tola Tsegaye Alemu, right, a Luban workshop graduate, operates an industrial robot under the guidance of a teacher at Tianjin University of Technology and Education. Photo: Xinhua

China-Africa relations

A new model for peace? China takes its Global Security Initiative to Africa

From Somalia to Ethiopia, Chinese training scholarships are the start of an alternative to Western-led alliances.

30 Aug 2025 - 6:42PMvideocam

Science

China says Mazu weather warning AI will help nations prepare for disaster

China Meteorological Administration nods to sea goddess in unveiling Multi-hazard Alert Zero-gap and Universal system.

29 Jul 2025 - 4:15PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Red Sea laser row rumbles on as China denies warship targeted German plane

Defence ministry says Berlin’s accusation that the PLA shone a laser at an aircraft in the Red Sea is ‘inconsistent with the facts’.

10 Jul 2025 - 8:40PMvideocam

The Chinese frigate Honghe (Hull 523) forms part of the 47th escort task force. Photo: Handout

China-EU relations

Berlin says Chinese ship targeted German plane with laser over Red Sea

Beijing’s ambassador to Germany has been summoned over the incident that reportedly took place during an EU-led mission.

9 Jul 2025 - 4:56PMvideocam

The Chinese national flag waves in front of Beijing’s embassy in Berlin in April 2024. Photo: AP

US immigration

US deports 8 immigrants to conflict-torn South Sudan after legal fight

Deportation follows a US Supreme Court ruling favouring the Trump administration.

7 Jul 2025 - 2:13PM

US immigration

Supreme Court allows swift deportation of migrants away from home countries

Divided court lifts order, paving way for removals to third countries; dissenters warn of torture and death risks.

24 Jun 2025 - 1:41PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong charity aims to bring traditional Chinese medicine to African nation

GX Foundation says it is cooperating with Djibouti’s Ministry of Health to introduce traditional Chinese medicines registered in Hong Kong.

29 May 2025 - 10:37PM

GX Foundation CEO Emily Chan, pictured with a disaster preparedness kit, says the charity’s work has achieved success over the years. Photo: Jonathan Wong

United States

‘Enough for Gaza for weeks’: US aid cuts leave food decaying in warehouses

Vital items for hungry people in need have been stuck inside US government warehouses since January’s decision to cut global aid programmes, sources say.

16 May 2025 - 6:21PMvideocam

Desperate Palestinians rush to a food distribution kitchen in Gaza on May 7. Photo: via AFP

Belt and Road Initiative

‘Game changer’: why Chinese rail contractors have East Africa in their sights

Business case is stacking up for the export-driven railway network that China’s companies are building with African finance.

6 Feb 2025 - 3:09PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China’s peace strategy in Horn of Africa is slow-going, but can it reap rewards?

Beijing is taking a slow but safe approach to promoting harmony in a region of Africa beset by war and insurgencies, experts say.

31 Jan 2025 - 6:54AMvideocam

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Djibouti

China expands overseas military presence with new Laos air force centre

Beijing says jointly operated facilities at Ban Keun Airport will support pilot training and deepen cooperation between the two militaries.

Djibouti base upgrade may give PLA eyes on foreign military in Middle East

As rival navies turn away, Beijing faces a Somalia test

Is Africa becoming a ‘testing ground’ for Chinese power projection?

PLA pilots trained against Rafales in the latest joint exercise, reflecting a decades-long expansion of activity on the continent.

Houthis hit Saudi base amid renewed fighting with Yemen government forces

The rebels have cemented their hold on the Bab el-Mandab Strait, which has become a key route for oil exports after Iran’s Hormuz blockade.

China’s AI weather warning system Mazu expanding across Global South

The system has been designed to provide ‘tailored’ services that help developing countries better prepare for extreme weather events.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | How China’s rare missile test sparked hysterical hypocrisy

Western pundits were quick to denounce Beijing. But far more frequent US launches rate barely a mention.

China’s port role in Africa extends far beyond docks: study

The Africa Centre for Strategic Studies says Chinese firms are deeply embedded across the continent’s maritime networks.

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

US tracks 23 Chinese port projects in Latin America, general tells Congress

Top US commander says Chinese port and space projects across Latin America are all seen as potential dual-use military assets.

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

Opinion | Beijing must be clear-eyed about its national interests abroad

As the US disrupts international norms, China should reconsider its place in the world system to protect its overseas investments.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland enrages Somalia, African Union

Several other countries also condemned Israel’s decision and Trump stated his opposition to US recognition of the breakaway state.

Somali piracy has waned, so why is China’s navy still in the Gulf of Aden?

China sends task force to deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean to train personnel, test ships and equipment in harsh ocean conditions.

Hong Kong bolsters green finance hub role with new global building certificates

City’s Green Building Council issues first BEAM Plus global certificate to a complex in the East African country of Djibouti.

Ethiopia opens Africa’s largest dam amid Egyptian protest

The project is set to provide energy to millions in the region but is seen by Cairo as an existential threat that endangers its water supply.

China’s Xi Jinping wants more Luban Workshops worldwide – but what are they?

The vocational education programme, a less well-known project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has been brought up in several speeches.

A new model for peace? China takes its Global Security Initiative to Africa

From Somalia to Ethiopia, Chinese training scholarships are the start of an alternative to Western-led alliances.

China says Mazu weather warning AI will help nations prepare for disaster

China Meteorological Administration nods to sea goddess in unveiling Multi-hazard Alert Zero-gap and Universal system.

Red Sea laser row rumbles on as China denies warship targeted German plane

Defence ministry says Berlin’s accusation that the PLA shone a laser at an aircraft in the Red Sea is ‘inconsistent with the facts’.

Berlin says Chinese ship targeted German plane with laser over Red Sea

Beijing’s ambassador to Germany has been summoned over the incident that reportedly took place during an EU-led mission.

US deports 8 immigrants to conflict-torn South Sudan after legal fight

Deportation follows a US Supreme Court ruling favouring the Trump administration.

Supreme Court allows swift deportation of migrants away from home countries

Divided court lifts order, paving way for removals to third countries; dissenters warn of torture and death risks.

Hong Kong charity aims to bring traditional Chinese medicine to African nation

GX Foundation says it is cooperating with Djibouti’s Ministry of Health to introduce traditional Chinese medicines registered in Hong Kong.

‘Enough for Gaza for weeks’: US aid cuts leave food decaying in warehouses

Vital items for hungry people in need have been stuck inside US government warehouses since January’s decision to cut global aid programmes, sources say.

‘Game changer’: why Chinese rail contractors have East Africa in their sights

Business case is stacking up for the export-driven railway network that China’s companies are building with African finance.

China’s peace strategy in Horn of Africa is slow-going, but can it reap rewards?

Beijing is taking a slow but safe approach to promoting harmony in a region of Africa beset by war and insurgencies, experts say.

My Take | How China’s rare missile test sparked hysterical hypocrisy