Ministry of Internal Affairs: China will not build a base in Tajikistan

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan has rejected information about the construction of a military base by China on the territory of Tajikistan.

Photo: Internet

On October 29, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced on its official website that the information about the alleged establishment of a Chinese military base on the territory of Tajikistan is not true.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs noted that within the framework of the cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Public Security of China, joint tactical exercises between the law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan and China are planned to be conducted using the existing infrastructure of the Special Rapid Response Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.

It is reported that all necessary equipment and expenses during the joint exercises will be provided and covered by China.

Meanwhile, at a press conference, the official representative of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Wenbin, did not answer questions about whether China intends to build a base for the Ministry of Internal Affairs in eastern Tajikistan. He only stated: “I can confidently tell you that China does not have any military base in Central Asia,” he said.

At the same time, it was previously reported that China would build a base in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region for the Special Rapid Response Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan.

According to Radio Ozodi, in the village of Vahan in the Ishkashim district of GBAO, China will build a base for the Special Rapid Response Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan for 55 million Chinese yuan (8.6 million dollars).

The First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, Abdurakhmon Alamshozoda, stated in parliament: “According to the reached agreement, the base of the Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR) of the Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan in the Vahan Gorge will be built at the expense of funds provided on a grant basis. China undertakes the responsibility for providing the necessary equipment, tools, and materials for the implementation of the project.”

It is reported that Tajikistan commits to exempt the import of equipment into the country from taxes and customs duties.

Deputy Tolibkhon Azimzoda of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower house of the Parliament of Tajikistan) noted in a conversation with a Radio Ozodi correspondent that the construction of the base at the request of Tajikistan will be carried out by the Chinese side, however, he declined to comment further, citing that he is “not authorized to comment on certain issues.” He only mentioned that the process of preparing documentation for allocating land for the construction of the base is currently underway.

Two years ago, world media reported the presence of a Chinese military contingent on the territory of Tajikistan. Residents of the village of Shaimok in the Murghab district also confirmed the existence of a Chinese military base in this area.