China is building a secret military base in that country

China is building a secret military base in Tajikistan, taking advantage of the increasing security threat posed by Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, satellite images reveal.
Beijing has been building this base in one of the most remote corners of the world for almost a decade. China signed a security agreement with Tajikistan in 2016.
The facility, carved into mountains as high as 3,000 metres, has watchtowers and soldiers from both countries, and holds regular joint military exercises shown on Chinese state media.
IT IS BUILDING SECRET MILITARY BASES IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Neither government has publicly acknowledged the existence of the base, which expands a former Soviet outpost. However, images show that construction continues steadily, including access roads to the base. China is trying to expand its military presence on all its borders, especially trying to enter Indian territory in the Himalayas. Concerns are growing that Beijing, which has strengthened its relations with Tajikistan at a time when its usual economic and security partner Russia has invaded Ukraine, is planning to do the same in neighboring countries.
USING THE SECURITY SECTOR
President Xi Jinping reinforced growing ties with that country during his third state visit to Tajikistan on July 4. “The situation is a vacuum, and this gap is being filled by China,” said political scientist Parviz Mollojonov, acting country director of International Alert, a UK-based NGO. “Since the worsening situation in Afghanistan, China has been using the Tajik government's concerns to build its security sector.” Concerns about Tajikistan's 1,300-kilometer border with Afghanistan have increased since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
CHINA WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO RECOGNIZE TALIBAN
Mollojonov said China is also providing Tajikistan with ammunition and technology as part of broader plans to "create an advanced defense line." “But in the long term, there may be other goals and plans that are unknown and not clearly stated.” Beijing became the first country to recognize a Taliban-appointed ambassador and has sought to establish ties with the militant group responsible for Afghanistan. But Beijing is increasing its presence in this corner of the world because it wants to keep a tight grip on Uyghur Muslims, who have staged many anti-government demonstrations in the far western region of Xinjiang, so that the ruling Communist Party can continue its plans for economic expansion into Central Asia and Europe. For Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, this is as much about keeping power as it is about getting close to China.