China's Ministry of Public Security ordered the formation of riot
police squads that will receive better equipment and training,
including handling mass disorders and terrorist cases. Beijing
wants to better prepare itself for coping with growing social and
ethnic unrest in the country. Chinese authorities also aim at
creating police units able to respond with measured force to
various challenges. While continuing on the path of economic
reform, Beijing seems to foresee growing social protest turning
to major violence and has introduced special police forces as a
means to tackle the problem.
Analysis
China's Ministry of Public Security ordered a substantial buildup
of specially trained riot police, according to Xinhua. The units,
similar to American Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) forces,
will also be trained for anti-terrorist and hostage operations
and mine clearing. Squads of at least 300 members are to be
formed in major municipalities like Beijing and Shanghai, while
200-member squads are required for provincial capitals. Other
important cities have been mandated to organize anti-riot police
units for their needs.
China has had an anti-riot police force in the past, yet it was
relatively weak in training and equipment. The enhancement orders
reveal two of the Chinese government's key concerns for the near
future. First, Beijing fears public unrest is going to accelerate
- and with it social instability - requiring a swift and
efficient reaction. Second, Beijing is concerned about its
international image, particularly in the area of human rights.
Balancing these concerns, a key problem a decade ago during the
Tiananmen Square demonstrations, will be a major challenge for
Beijing.
Since the early days of China's economic opening and reform,
started by former President Deng Xiaoping, Beijing has faced a
dilemma: how to balance economic and social reforms without
abandoning the one-party rule system. Central to this is ensuring
social stability in the face of a rapidly changing Chinese
economic landscape while at the same time presenting a positive
image to the outside to ensure continued investment and trade.
Top Chinese officials re-emphasized the importance of this in New
Year speeches.
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