In response to troublesome acts by the Taliban, China has built a clandestine military base in Tajikistan, revealed by satellite photos. The reality is that China has significantly invested in its neighbor, Tajikistan, and intends to enhance its military footprint to protect this investment.
China's investments in Tajikistan are threatened by the Afghan Taliban, hence the development of this military base. Until the satellite imagery surfaced, this venture was unknown. The secretive military facility has been constructed atop a mountain at 13,000 feet.
Source: aajtak
The base is a collaborative force between the armies of China and Tajikistan, featuring watch towers and ongoing joint military drills. Neither nation has officially mentioned this military hub, which happens to be a redeveloped former Soviet outpost, under progressive construction.
On July 4, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Tajikistan for the third time, sparking continuous meetings between both nations' officials and leaders. Parviz Mullojonov, director at the UK-based NGO International Alert, expressed that a vacuum in Tajikistan was efficiently filled by China.
Source: aajtak
When Afghanistan's situation worsened and the Taliban seized control and established their government in 2021, China became worried about Tajikistan's security given the 1,287-kilometer-long border adjoining Afghanistan.
Following this, China supplied Tajikistan with weapons and tech for a fortified frontier defense. Despite recognizing the Taliban's envoy and striving for positive relations with the group's leader, China aimed to avoid bringing the endemic plight of the Uighurs to the forefront.
Source: aajtak
China's suppression of Uighur Muslims and its international criticisms may influence the Taliban's patrons. Tajikistan recently banned the wearing of hijabs and enacted 36 amendments in its religious laws to preserve its national cultural heritage and curb extremism.
Moreover, many mosques have been closed in Tajikistan, and police enforce the trimming of long beards. Imams' sermons must adhere to government guidelines. Unauthorized children's presence in prayer houses is restricted, and parents sending their children abroad for religious education face fines. A 367-page manual has also been released, outlining detailed guidelines for women's attire, including color and length of clothing.
