With growing international investments, China turns to private security firms to safeguard its interests in unstable regions.
In 2017, the Chinese blockbuster Wolf Warrior 2 captured audiences with its patriotic fervor, showcasing a lone Chinese hero taking on foreign mercenaries to protect his people. The film not only broke box office records but also popularized “wolf-warrior diplomacy,” a more combative approach to international relations, reflecting China’s increasing assertiveness on the global stage. While such films have bolstered the narrative that China should protect its overseas interests by force if necessary, the reality is that private security contractors are now the ones tasked with safeguarding Chinese investments abroad—especially in unstable regions.
With conflicts like the Ukraine war and the Israel-Gaza conflict illustrating the types of dangers Chinese businesses may face globally, the need for robust security solutions has become evident. China’s limited military presence overseas—relying on one base in the Horn of Africa and minimal involvement in UN peacekeeping operations—means Beijing is increasingly turning to private security firms. This shift is particularly significant in the context of the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has seen a rise in Chinese investments in high-risk areas.
At a recent seminar hosted by the China-Africa Business Council and the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, participants underscored the importance of adapting security strategies to local conditions and industries. “Outbound Chinese investors face security challenges in a complex environment,” said an official statement from the event, emphasizing the need for tailored security solutions for different regions.
China’s investments, particularly in Africa, are substantial, with the country’s firms representing 7.1% of global investments in the region. As of 2022, there were approximately 47,000 Chinese businesses operating in over 190 countries, employing millions, including 2.5 million foreign workers. Despite this impressive footprint, many of these investments are in regions marked by political instability and conflict, such as the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Latin America.
Private security firms in China, while less visible than their Western counterparts, have been expanding rapidly to meet the growing demand. Companies like Huayuan Security Guard, Dewe Security, and Huaxin Zhongan Group are stepping up to protect Chinese assets abroad. “There are a lot of new issues to be tackled, including the Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestinian conflict,” said Li Xiaopeng, CEO of Frontier Services Group, one of China’s largest security firms. With Chinese companies increasingly operating in high-risk regions, the demand for specialized security solutions has surged, leading to the expansion of Chinese private security services globally.
The Chinese government has recognized the importance of securing its overseas investments, particularly in critical sectors like energy and minerals. In late November, a Belt and Road Initiative working group stressed the need to “hammer out safety protection in a detailed way,” ensuring Chinese corporations can assess and mitigate risks when investing in foreign markets. The Ministry of State Security also committed to securing Chinese companies’ assets, particularly in the mining industry, which is vital for China’s supply chain of valuable minerals.
Private security companies, like Huaxin Zhongan, have been expanding their operations abroad. With more than 800 employees overseas, the company provides everything from risk assessments to physical security for Chinese projects in countries such as Uganda, Malaysia, and Pakistan. However, challenges remain. Unlike well-established international security firms, Chinese companies are hampered by domestic regulations that limit their ability to carry firearms, making it difficult to compete with larger, foreign security contractors. Still, the growing demand for security services, particularly for Belt and Road projects, is pushing Chinese firms to refine their operations and gain more experience on the global stage.
Despite these challenges, the expansion of Chinese private security firms is seen as a natural progression as the country increases its overseas presence. The Belt and Road Initiative’s vast scope and the global nature of China’s investments require a strong security infrastructure to protect both people and assets in volatile regions. As these companies continue to grow and adapt to international standards, they are likely to play an even larger role in securing China’s global interests in the years to come.
This shift from military intervention to private security reflects broader changes in China’s approach to global engagement, where diplomacy, commercial investments, and private security are becoming increasingly intertwined. As China’s global economic influence continues to expand, so too will its reliance on private security firms to protect its interests in the most challenging and dangerous regions around the world.
