A group of young security recruits can be seen training in China’s capital. They are part of an expanding army of former soldiers and paramilitary personnel preparing to protect China’s new Silk Road.
The One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative connects China with its regional trade partners. It includes expansive land and sea routes to Asia, Europe, and beyond. China-based security firms are seeing this as an opportunity to grow their business.
“So with One Belt One Road, there are two levels, because it’s just an idea of outgrowth of the Chinese economy,” said Weldon Security General Manager Kevin Fang. “So for us, security companies are following Chinese companies abroad and filling in those gaps for security demands, so this is a huge opportunity for Chinese security companies.”
China-based security firms are going international. Dewei Security Group has set up training compounds in Nairobi, Kenya. Besides Dewei, other firms have also expanded abroad, including Shanghai-based Weldon and Chinese Overseas Security Group (COSG).
