China's drive to build the new "Silk Roads" has been accompanied by the creation of private military structures dedicated to the defence of both infrastructure and Chinese nationals. However, authorisations to create such structures are strictly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, unlike in other sectors. The author compares these semi-independent structures with other players, such as the private military companies Blackwater and the Wagner group, to highlight their differences.
ARDUINO Alessandro, War on the rocks, 1 December 2023
