China’s Plan to Take Over Law Enforcement – It Gets Intense!

China is taking significant steps to position itself as a global security leader, with plans to train thousands of foreign law enforcement officers in an effort to steer the world order toward what it considers a “more fair, reasonable, and efficient direction.” This initiative, led by the Chinese Communist Party, was detailed by Wang Xiaohong, China’s minister for public security, during a high-profile global security forum.

“We will [also] send police consultants to countries in need to conduct training to help them quickly and effectively improve their law enforcement capabilities,” Wang Xiaohong told the forum, which was attended by law enforcement officials from 122 countries, along with representatives from international organizations like Interpol. His speech emphasized China’s growing influence in global security matters and its commitment to shaping international law enforcement strategies.

The forum took place in Lianyungang, an eastern Chinese city, and is part of the broader Global Security Initiative (GSI) launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2022. The GSI aims to enhance global security governance and promote long-lasting peace, positioning China as a central player in this effort. Since its launch, the initiative has drawn both attention and concern, particularly from those wary of China’s increasing role in international policing.

One of the most contentious points surrounding China’s law enforcement training program is its focus on developing countries, particularly in Africa. Human rights groups have expressed concerns that the training introduces elements of the Communist Party’s authoritarian tactics, potentially undermining democratic processes in these regions. Moreover, there are fears that these programs are more about protecting Chinese commercial interests tied to the Belt and Road Initiative rather than strengthening local law enforcement for the benefit of those nations.

Public details about which countries or officers will receive the training remain scarce. However, Beijing has previously linked the GSI to its role in mediating conflicts, such as its diplomatic efforts between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as its peace proposal for the ongoing war in Ukraine. Analysts see these actions as part of China’s long-term strategy to reshape the global order, traditionally dominated by the United States.

The GSI framework has paved the way for numerous bilateral security agreements between China and developing countries, with a particular emphasis on Africa and the Indo-Pacific region. These agreements often include cooperation in policing and security matters. In 2022, China revealed that it aimed to provide 5,000 training opportunities over five years to professionals working on global security issues, which appears to be a substantial part of the initiative.

Recent announcements suggest that the scope of this training program is expanding. Wang noted that China has already trained 2,700 foreign law enforcement officers in the past year alone. Moreover, after a China-Africa forum last week, Beijing committed to training an additional 1,000 officers specifically for African countries, further strengthening its ties to the continent. However, it’s unclear whether this number is part of the 3,000 officers mentioned by Wang during his speech at the global security forum.

On a related note, Wang also addressed the China-Central Asia summit on public security, where he met with senior officials from five participating nations. The discussions centered on bolstering security cooperation, including joint efforts to combat terrorism and transnational crime. Wang highlighted a shared vision of “universal security,” reflecting China’s desire to broaden its law enforcement collaboration with these countries.

China’s outreach extends beyond Africa and Central Asia. In July, the president of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, visited Beijing, where he signed a new partnership agreement with Xi Jinping. The agreement included provisions for deeper exchanges between military and police forces, cooperation in personnel training, joint exercises, and technology transfers. This is just one example of how China is leveraging its growing influence to build security partnerships across the globe.

The Solomon Islands is another critical example of China’s expanding influence in global security. In 2022, a cooperation agreement between China and the Solomon Islands regarding law enforcement raised concerns among the United States and its allies in the Pacific. Western nations feared that this agreement signaled China’s intent to establish a stronger military presence in the region, though attempts to broker similar deals with other Pacific nations were less successful.

China’s growing involvement in international law enforcement and security cooperation is seen by many as part of a broader strategy to challenge the current world order. As the country continues to forge new security partnerships and expand its influence, the global community will be watching closely to see how these developments impact international relations and the balance of power on the world stage.