China Expands Global Security Footprint Through GSI Foreign Training Program

International Desk

23 Sep 2024, 16:41

Photo: Collected

China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI) is advancing its reach as Beijing announces plans to train 3,000 foreign law enforcement officers over the next year, according to the South China Morning Post. This ambitious program, part of a broader effort to safeguard Chinese interests abroad, includes countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and represents another step towards China’s growing role as a global security provider.

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The initiative reflects China’s longstanding request to station private security personnel in countries like Pakistan to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), while several nations in Africa have already accepted Chinese guards to protect BRI projects. However, the latest move signals a shift in China’s approach—utilizing local law enforcement in host countries rather than its own personnel to protect assets.

The announcement came during the 2024 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum held in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, where China’s public security minister, Wang Xiaohong, outlined the country’s plans. Wang emphasized that the training program would enhance global security cooperation by sending Chinese police consultants and operational units abroad. These efforts aim to bolster local law enforcement capacity, tackle cross-border crime, and conduct joint patrols to protect Chinese interests.

This year’s conference, themed “Win-win cooperation under changing circumstances: building a global public security community,” drew over 2,100 participants from 122 countries. It included forums on tourist security, police education, and capacity building, solidifying China’s role as a key player in global security. Wang met with security officials from countries including Malaysia, Zambia, Nicaragua, and Russia, focusing on boosting security along BRI infrastructure projects and enhancing cooperation in tackling telecom fraud, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes.

The GSI, introduced by President Xi Jinping in 2022, is not limited to training but extends to brokering high-level security agreements. China’s mediation in the Iran-Saudi Arabia peace talks and its peace proposal for Ukraine are prime examples. The GSI underscores China’s rejection of hegemonism and politicized security cooperation, presenting itself as a counterbalance to the Western-led security architecture.

However, critics argue that China’s security training programs risk promoting authoritarian tactics, particularly in regions like Africa, where China has deepened its investments. As Beijing expands its global influence, these efforts are seen by some as a strategic move to undermine the existing US-led security order.

China’s 2022 security pact with the Solomon Islands highlights its growing presence in the Pacific, and its pledge to provide 5,000 training opportunities for law enforcement over the next five years signals a long-term commitment to shaping global security dynamics. As the Quad summit approaches, analysts suggest that China’s GSI presents a challenge to Western security alliances, stressing the need for a coordinated response to Beijing’s expanding influence.

In essence, China’s GSI reflects a broader strategy to protect its commercial interests while positioning itself as a global security leader, particularly in developing regions. Whether through police training or high-level security agreements, China’s growing footprint in global security is reshaping international dynamics.
Source: Nepalpana

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