Is China planning a military expansion across Central Asia -- by railroad? An analyst in Jamestown's China Brief suggests so., in a piece provocatively titled "The PLA’s "Orient Express": Militarization of the Iron Silk Road."
The analysis notes two trends: China's ambitious plans to expand its international rail links to the west, including to Central Asia, Turkey, Europe and the Middle East; and the People's Liberation Army's increasing use of rail transport to move military cargo and soldiers around China. And when you put those two things together...
With China’s expansionist policy and infrastructure projects toward its neighbors, some analysts are beginning to sound the alarm on the militarization of these projects.
For example, Konstantin Syroyezhkin, in Kazakhstan’s Institute of Strategic Studies, points out the rapid development of road and railroad infrastructure in Central Asia with Chinese participation may be used for future PLA troop deployments in case of a serious conflict threatening China’s security or strategic interests. This concern is corroborated by the recent SCO Peace Mission 2010 military exercise, whereby China transported troops to Kazakhstan by rail.
There isn't any actual evidence to suggest that China's railroad expansion plans hide an aggressive military intention, only speculation. But this is still a reminder that it's not only the U.S. military that could benefit from a "New Silk Road."
Joshua Kucera, a senior correspondent, is Eurasianet's former Turkey/Caucasus editor and has written for the site since 2007.
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