Environmental Concerns Rise Over Chinese Cement Plants in Tajikistan

Dushanbe: Chinese investments have significantly reshaped Tajikistan's cement industry, transforming the nation from a cement importer to one of the leading exporters in Central Asia. As of 2024, five cement plants, built with Chinese capital, operate in the country, with the three largest Tajik-Chinese plants contributing to 85 percent of the annual output. These plants not only fulfill local demand but also create jobs and generate revenue through exports to neighboring countries.According to Global Voices, despite these economic benefits, the environmental impact of cement production remains a pressing concern. Cement production is globally recognized for its negative environmental effects, a fact that is also true for Tajikistan. A Soviet-era cement plant in Dushanbe, which was shut down in 2023 due to its environmental impact, serves as a stark reminder of the potential damage. The reliance on coal by these plants further exacerbates environmental concerns, as coal is a highly polluting energy source.C hina plays a crucial role in Tajikistan's economy, being its largest investor and lender, and the second-largest trading partner. From 2007 to 2023, Chinese investments in Tajikistan amounted to USD 3.845 billion, as reported by Tajikistan's State Committee for Investments and State Property Management. Before these investments, Tajikistan's cement industry was minimal, with only the Soviet-era Tajik Tsement plant in operation. The country produced just 89,000 tons of cement in 2012, far short of its domestic demand of 3 million tons, which was met through imports.The landscape began to change in 2013 with the establishment of JV Huaxin Gayur Cement in the Khatlon province, a joint venture between the Chinese cement producer Huaxin and the Tajik Gayur Group, boasting an annual capacity of 1.2 million tonnes. In 2016, similar ventures increased production, enabling Tajikistan to meet domestic demand and become a major exporter by 2017, with an annual production of 3.1 million tons.While the economic benefi ts of these plants have been widely covered, their environmental impact has received less attention. A critical examination in 2016 titled "China shifts polluting cement to Tajikistan" highlighted the environmental risks, a concern echoed by local media in 2017. Reports suggest that environmental and health damages are being concealed by state authorities, who suppress dissent and censor media coverage.This pattern of censorship is not isolated to the cement industry. Similar practices are evident in Tajikistan's gold mining sector, where local communities' complaints about pollution are often silenced. An anonymous source from the Tajik Environmental Protection Committee noted being instructed to overlook pollution issues to retain Chinese investment, crucial for the economy.Given the economic importance of Chinese investments, it is likely that similar tactics are used to manage dissent regarding the cement plants. China, the world's largest cement producer, has been criticized for moving polluting indu stries abroad, a contradiction to its domestic ecological policies and international commitments like the Paris Agreement.Chinese companies, such as Huaxin Cement, continue their global expansion, with operations in several countries. However, this expansion has faced international scrutiny, as seen in Nepal, where Huaxin was criticized for operating without an Environmental Impact Assessment.Tajikistan's eagerness for investment, despite environmental and health concerns, highlights the trade-offs between economic growth and ecological sustainability. The case of Chinese cement plants in Tajikistan serves as a cautionary tale for other countries considering similar investments.