The Formation And Evolution Of Djibouti's "Small Country Diplomacy"

Djibouti is located in the Horn of Africa and Bab el-Mandeb,which is a bridgehead between the Africa and Arabia and a key position between the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean.It is a strategic hub on the world's major shipping routes.Owning to its important strategic position,it has historically been controlled and invaded by the Western colonialists.Since independence in 1977,Djibouti is a small/weak country in the Horn of Africa.How to maximize and realize its own core interests has been the main goal of its diplomatic practice.Although Djibouti has always pursued a foreign policy of “strict neutrality and non-alignment”,it has gradually built up a distinctive diplomatic strategy toward regional powers and great powers,safeguarding sovereignty,dealing with threats and actively profiting considerations.Under the influence of the changing international environment and regional environment,Djibouti's diplomatic strategy has undergone several obvious changes and adjustments.On the one hand,Djibouti carefully handled its relations,and avoided becoming a “proxy” of any East African country.In the 21 st century,Djibouti acted as a key force in maintaining regional security and stability and promoting regional integration.On the other hand,In the early days of independence,Djibouti chose to follow France in order to avoid becoming a “victim” of confrontation between US and Soviet.Later,with the rise of emerging countries represented by China,Djibouti began to develop multi-directional diplomacy with the world's major powers through the “Djibouti +1” mechanism.At present,the relations between the major powers in the world are entering a period of adjustment.Djibouti,which has an important strategic position,has quietly become a target that great power have sought.For China,Djibouti is not only a strategic point to connect the Asian-European-African market,but also a key hub for the “Belt and Road” initiative to build a maritime west line.With the ever-increasing relations between China and Djibouti in recent years,There is no doubt that the interest-related powers will cause doubts and obstacles to China's presence inDjibouti.Therefore,the study of Djibouti's diplomatic strategy changes,is not only good for us to maintain and extend China's national interests,but also for building a good external environment and solving various problems arising in the process of her peaceful rise.