Security Risks Faced by Tajikistan and Its Impact on the "Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative"

Tajikistan is currently actively promoting the implementation of “Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative” to stimulate the development of the nation’s economy, which has created a favorable trade cooperation environment for Tajikistan and China. Under the boosting of “Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative”, the two countries will hopefully form a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Although Tajikistan’s economy and infrastructure to some extent lags behind other central Asian countries, it has abundant mineral and hydraulic resources that compensate for China’s deficiency in economic cooperation. Besides, Tajikistan has unique geographical and cultural environment that makes it the “outpost” in guarding regional security as well as the unstable factor in constructing “Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative”. For this reason, the analysis of the categories and causes of Tajikistan’s security risks plays an important role in promoting “Silk Road Economic Belt Intiative”. This essay attempts to study the cause of Tajikistan’s security risks and its influence on the implementation of “Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative” by sorting out Tajikistan’s risk types and their characteristics. “Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative” has an essential significance to both China and Tajikistan, and Tajikistan’s security and stability affect its operation and effects. Based on Barry Buzan’s security theory, this essay systematically analyzes Tajikistan’s security risks during 2014-2016 with the aim to add to the theoretical system of “Silk Road Economic Belt” and guarantee the efficient implementation of “Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative”.

 Keywords: security risks; Tajikistan; Silk Road Economic Belt