Executive Summary

China’s use of private security companies will likely continue to increase as its assets expand all over the world as the security landscape becomes more uncertain. The One Belt One Road Initiative, which began in 2013, laid the foundation for the growth of private security companies (PSCs) in China. 

Private security companies differ from private military companies; the former provides security services and the latter completes tasks that would normally be delegated to a military force. The proliferation of Chinese assets and initiatives precipitated the need for increased security forces that did not rely on national troops, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. However, these companies have restricted access to weapons, which restricts their effectiveness. The companies tend to rely on personnel from local or international organisations. Due to this, a variety of Chinese military experts have advocated for the restructuring of this sector, which would give PSCs the means to engage in more complex operations.  

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Images Sourced From: Jens Schott Knudsen