China’s Maritime Geoeconomic Strategy in the Western Indian Ocean Region

China’s strategic inroads into the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR) are evident through several key investments and developments. In the past decade, Beijing has consolidated its military posture, acquiring resources, building dual-use infrastructure, safeguarding sea-lanes of communication, and generating capabilities to influence Indo-Pacific geopolitics. This article examines China’s maritime geoeconomic strategy in the WIOR by analyzing its off-shore and on-shore activities over the past decade in order to answer the questions: What are the key components and implications of China’s maritime geoeconomic strategy in the WIOR, and how do they explain its broader geopolitical ambitions?