In recent years, as China's global influence has expanded, China's overseas projects have also increased, involving infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture and other fields. However, these projects are often exposed to various security risks, such as terrorism, armed conflict, ethnic strife, and pirate hijacking. In order to protect China's overseas interests, China began to develop its own private military companies to provide professional armed protection and security consulting services for overseas projects.
According to the South China Morning Post [1][1], a number of Chinese private military companies have entered overseas markets, the most well-known of which is Frontier Services Group, a logistics and security company registered in Hong Kong, and one of its founders is Erik Prince, the former owner of Blackwater, a well-known American private military company. Frontier Services Group mainly provides one-stop services such as transportation, warehousing, insurance, security and other services for Chinese projects in Africa, with its own aircraft, vehicles,** and well-trained security personnel. Frontier Services Group's clients include Chinese state-owned enterprises, private enterprises and non-leading organizations, and its business scope covers Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Central African Republic and other countries and regions.
In addition to FSG, there are other private military companies in China, such as Shandong Huawei Security Group, Poly Group, and Golden Wheel Engineering Company, which recruit Chinese veterans, special operations personnel, and police officers to provide security, training, and consulting services for Chinese projects overseas. Although these companies are not allowed to own firearms in Chinese mainland, they can obtain equipment overseas through local ** or arms dealers, and can also conduct business through the authorization and support of China**. The performance of these companies is also impressive, with estimates of annual revenues from Chinese private military companies already exceeding $1 billion.
The rise of China's private military companies is of great significance to China and the world. On the one hand, Chinese private military companies can effectively protect China's overseas projects, reduce the losses of China's enterprises and enterprises, and can also provide strong support for China's diplomacy and international cooperation. On the other hand, Chinese private military companies can also contribute to world peace and stability, such as fighting piracy, counter-terrorism, and maintaining humanitarianism. Unlike the private military companies of the United States and Russia, Chinese private military companies do not engage in illegal military intervention and political subversion, but abide by international law and local laws, respect local culture and customs, and establish good relations with local ** and the population.
The development of China's private military companies also faces some challenges and problems, such as legal norms, supervision mechanisms, social responsibilities, and human rights protection. These issues need to be addressed by both China and society to ensure the legitimacy, compliance and rationality of China's private military companies and avoid negative impacts and consequences. At the same time, China's private military companies also need to continuously improve their professional level and service quality, establish a good image and reputation, and win recognition and respect at home and abroad.