Afghanistan, China consolidates its military position on the border

China will build a new military base in Tajikistan, near the border with Afghanistan. The lower house of parliament yesterday approved the project and, at the same time, offered Beijing the transfer of full control of a pre-existing base. Tajikistan canceled the rent in exchange for military aid, Radio Liberty reports. Beijing has been operating the base in the Murghab region for at least five years, also near the border with Afghanistan, near the Wakhan corridor. The proposal for the transfer of ownership of the site was allegedly made by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to the Chinese Defense Minister, Wei Fenghe, on his visit to Dushanbe last July. Deputy Interior Minister Abdurahmon Alamshozoda explained yesterday that the new base will be built near the village of Vakhon, in the autonomous region of Gorno-Badakhshan. The Rapid Reaction Group and regular military personnel will be stationed there. It will be built with Chinese funding, for 10 million dollars. Beijing will equip the base with “special equipment for Interpol’s computer system”.