Recent attacks on the Chinese nationals working in distant lands have pressurized Beijing in such an extent that it is pushing for a joint security management system with several countries where Chinese workers are in a significant number.
A recent report published by Reuters on Nov 12 revealed that Beijing is pressurizing Islamabad to allow its own forces to provide protection to the thousands of its civilians working under several BRI projects in Pakistan. Such desperate measures came after two Chinese nationals were killed last month in the city of Karachi, Pakistan’s financial capital, following a car bombing targeted towards the Chinese nationals.
Several reports suggest, that apart from Pakistan, formal negotiations have been undergoing between tens of African countries and Chinese authorities focusing to develop an effective joint security management system. In last decade, attacks on Chinese workers stationed in African countries and Pakistan has sharply increased, creating a sense of tension among the Chinese masses.
Economic crunch and the labor export
With a declining economic growth, Beijing aims to export its citizens under the banner of BRI to the third world countries, especially to African and South Asian nations in order to somehow manage the growing dissatisfaction among its people due to the rising unemployment. Since 2012, more than 2,00,000 Chinese workers have been working in various sectors in Africa with a presence of more than 2000 state-owned enterprises in the Continent.
Unemployment remains the major issue troubling Xi Jinping administration, and with economy facing less than 5% growth, it is becoming hard for CCP to produce jobs for its huge young generation. However, such attacks on the Chinese nationals not only hinders Xi’s plan of exporting its labors but further weakens its position as a global power.
Rising attacks on Chinese nationals
In July 2024, at least six Chinese nationals were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In May 2024, armed rebels killed four in a Chinese-run gold mine attack in the Central African Republic (CAR). Similarly, in March 2023, nine Chinese nationals were killed in CAR. Last year, targeted attacks happened in several areas of Pakistan as well. In 2020, two Chinese nationals lost their lives owing to a local uprising near the mine of Sosso Nakombo.
Apart from killing, kidnappings for ransom remain the major threat for Chinese civilians working in CAR, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Why China is failing
There are a number of issues that had lead to a failed Chinese story in the third world raising security issues for hundred thousands of its citizens working in these countries.
First, the image of China has deteriorated a lot in the recent years. Chinese debt policies or what is popularly known as Chinese Debt Trap has long been seen by the masses as a new kind of oppressive economic colonization. Most of these SOEs involved in metal and mining have more than 51% of equity with them, allowing them to control the labors and mold decisions without looking for an approval from the local partners. Such acts have created a panic among the business elites and local intellectuals who are aware of the situation
Second is the issue of forced labor and below-standard working conditions. In many of these mining areas, locals are forced to serve for at least 12 to 18 hours a day. They are paid less, and in some cases often been beaten by the Chinese officials in case of leaving or demanding a pay rise. Further, they are even not allowed to form trade unions. In case of protest, bulk firing is what the response they receive. Further, the housing and food allowances to local laborers were found below standard then their respective Chinese counterpart.
Third, it’s the attitude issue with the Chinese civilians working in these countries. Superiority complex and racism towards their African co-workers had led to the dissatisfaction among the locals. Chinese officials and engineers not only discriminate among the locals on the basic issues of salary and benefits, also treat them as a second-class citizen in their own homeland. Chinese citizens were found getting more benefits and grants then their African counterparts.
Fourth is the Chinese ignorance of local customs and religious values that has angered the locals. In Pakistan and North-west African countries, reports have been surfaced that Chinese authorities has forced local labors to work for at least 12 hours even during the month of Ramadan, that is a holy month for a billion of followers of Islam.
Fifth is the fear of losing their own land and marginalization. In case of Pakistan, most of the attacks have either been done by the Baloch groups or by Afghan groups. Both of these groups view presence of Chinese as being marginalized. Similar issues have been observed in several of African countries where people fear that their jobs and lands are both being exploited by the Chinese.
Sixth is the issue of involvement of Chinese businesses in local politics. In many cases, Chinese have been found bribing or helping their favorable local authorities during the times of elections. In several countries like CAR, local authorities have accused Chinese businesses of supporting rebel groups for their benefits fueling the anger of locals.
Seventh is the presence of security forces. Hundreds of so-called Chinese private security firms are providing security to Chinese investments and businesses along the continent. These so called private security firms hire ex-PLA servicemen and even the civilians working in these firms have direct links with the CCP. In several cases, Chinese army has stepped in, like in the case of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor where hundreds of Chinese personnel were reported stationed and protecting the Chinese investments, creating a panic like situation among the locals.
The fear
The concept of a joint security management system allows Beijing to send and to station its forces in nations with a significant Chinese population. Most of these African and South Asian countries are politically destabilized, further they lack a strong military or a proper security system. World has seen what the involvement of state proxies like Wagner group had led to the situation in South Sudan and several other Asian and African countries. Authorities in China need to understand that such desperate attempts would only hurt the core interests of Beijing.
