New Chinese ‘Super’ Observation Station in Tajikistan for Climate and Technological Research, Located near Afghan and Uzbek Borders
China Opens New “Super” Observation Station for Climate and Environmental Monitoring in Tajikistan
China has recently launched a new “super” observation station in Tajikistan, signaling its commitment to advancing in the field of technology and improving its environmental credentials in Central and South Asia. Located in Shahritus, a town in southwestern Tajikistan near the borders with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, the station is part of a growing constellation of stations along Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that are operated by or partnered with Lanzhou University.
The station is the latest addition to a network of LiDAR systems that span a major corridor of the BRI, which is susceptible to extreme weather and closely tied to China’s technological ambitions. LiDAR systems are used to accurately map and analyze both natural and manmade environments, making them essential for the development of smart, autonomous, and electric vehicles. China, an emerging global leader in this sector, is leveraging these systems to refine its domestic technology, enhance its competitive edge, and bolster its environmental record worldwide.
However, concerns have been raised about the station’s location and its potential utility for surveillance and security purposes. Bradley Jardine, managing director of the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, noted that similar stations rely on weather satellites that could have surveillance capabilities. This raises questions about the Tajik border’s security implications, given the Tajik government’s close cooperation with Beijing.
The LiDAR network, which begins in Lanzhou and extends through Xinjiang Province to Pakistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Israel, and Algeria, consists of over 20 stations. The new facility in Tajikistan, strategically located in one of the country’s hottest areas, will contribute to laser-generated 3D maps of climate-impacted regions. Huang Jianping, a professor at Lanzhou University involved in the project, highlighted the station’s ability to provide comprehensive data on dust, pollutants, weather, and climate change, enabling timely warnings about extreme weather conditions.
Despite China emphasizing the station’s environmental focus, it adds to a growing list of dual-use or secretive Chinese projects in Tajikistan. Lanzhou University is associated with China’s defense industry, and multiple Chinese-financed surveillance and security facilities exist along the Tajik-Afghan border. These initiatives serve China’s security interests amid concerns about potential Islamist militants entering China or destabilizing the region. China’s security footprint in Tajikistan, including the newly opened observation station on Lake Sarez, has raised suspicions about additional surveillance and monitoring activities.
The exact role and implications of the Shahritus station in this context remain unknown. Jardine points out that China’s security focus has primarily centered on the Pamir Mountains and the Wakhan Corridor, whereas this station is located in a different part of the country that seemingly holds fewer immediate security imperatives for China.
As China strives to become a dominant force in the global automotive industry, projects like the LiDAR network and the new observation station highlight the country’s dedication to technology advancement, environmental stewardship, and strategic positioning in Central and South Asia. The full extent of the station’s capabilities and its impact on regional dynamics will likely become clearer in the future.
