Pentagon reports increasing Chinese military engagement in Middle East

According to Pentagon, China has "significantly" increased efforts to engage with countries in the Middle East.

The Pentagon's annual "China Military Power" report to Congress found that Beijing and its military increased engagement with countries in the region, particularly Iraq, according to a report by the Pentagon, Middle East Monitor reports.

"As Beijing's economic interests expand in areas like Africa, Latin America, Central Asia and the Middle East, we expect to see an increased focus on expanding power projection operations globally," the report said.

The Chinese military, which has a base in Djibouti, is reportedly looking to establish additional facilities in the Middle East and North Africa. "[China] is seeking to expand its overseas logistics and basing infrastructure to allow the [army] to project and sustain military power at greater distances," the Pentagon said.

The same report also mentioned that China now has more than 400 nuclear warheads, approximately doubling its arsenal in just two years, warning that by 2035, China could potentially stockpile about 1,500 warheads.

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) launched approximately 135 ballistic missiles for testing and training last year, "more than the rest of the world combined, excluding ballistic missile employment in conflict zones," the report added.