China's Private Army

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

   PDF

2. Protecting the New Silk Road

   • Alessandro Arduino

   Pages 1-30

3. From Shadow to Hype

   • Alessandro Arduino

   Pages 31-67

4. Protecting Chinese Overseas Interests

   • Alessandro Arduino

   Pages 69-113

5. Globalization and the Market for Force

   • Alessandro Arduino

   Pages 115-150

6. Conclusion

   • Alessandro Arduino

   Pages 151-170

7. Back Matter

   Pages 171-176

   PDF

This book illustrates the role that Private Security Companies (PSC) with ‘Chinese characteristics’ play in protecting people and property associated with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The revival of the ancient Silk Road economic “belt,” combined with the 21st Century sea lanes of communication known as the “road,” is intended to enhance global connectivity and increase commercial activity. However, the socio-political risks associated with Chinese outbound direct investments are often overlooked. Terrorism, separatism, kidnapping and other risks are mostly new to Chinese companies, some of which are operating abroad for the first time. Economic globalization and the transnational exploitation of natural resources have increased the need for Chinese-owned PSCs in spite of the disdain for the profession of “a lance for hire.” Due to peculiar geo-strategic and geo-economic features, the “belt” from Central Asia to Pakistan and the “road” from the Somali coast to the Strait of Malacca are characterized by a high level of insecurity. This book’s focus on how the state’s monopoly of force privatization can play a significant role in protecting the New Silk Road will be of interest to policymakers, journalists, and academics.

• Private Military
• One Belt, One Road
• Chinese Development
• Anti-terrorism
• Military Studies

• Co-Director Security & Crisis Management Program, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences—UNITO, Shanghai, China

  Alessandro Arduino

Dr. Alessandro Arduino is the co–director of the Security & Crisis Management (SCM) program at the Shanghai Academy of Social Science (SASS-UNITO). Dr. Arduino's two decades of experience in China encompasses security analysis and crisis management. His main research interests include China’s political economy, Sovereign Wealth Funds, and Private Security Corporations.

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