International
the United States. Although the Chinese Government is moving aggressively to punish kidnappers, often by the death penalty, the threat of the kidnapping boom continues to grow. As too, does the increase of incidents involving less well-off people attacking luxury cars and causing accidents or personal attacks from employees. Watson states that the gap between rich and poor is getting spread further and there will be ongoing problems in Chinese society. He said that there is a saying in China: You will laugh at those poorer than you and hate those richer than you. In a country where the Forbes’ China Rich List estimates there are 168 billionaires, the bodyguard and security industry has broken from the shadows of the Dragon and is now in high demand. About the Author Paul Johnstone is a former Federal Agent with the Australian Federal Police and a former Soldier with the Australian Army. Paul has performed a number of specialist protective security intelligence and counter-terrorism roles during his combined 25 years of service and is a Government accredited Instructor in a number of specialist fields. Paul has been formally recognised by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Bosnia and Herzegovina for outstanding police investigations pertaining to complex fraud and war crimes and he has lectured and trained law enforcement, security and military personnel throughout Australia, Peoples Republic of China, Afghanistan and the Pacific Rim. Johnstone is the founder and principal director of Defensive Measures International which is a consultancy firm offering specialist services throughout Australia, Peoples Republic of China, India and the Asia Pacific region.
troops to provide personal protection to private entrepreneurs, local and foreign business executives and for those that require around the clock safety measures. Furthermore, there are an increasing number of foreign executives, entertainment and corporate businesses conducting business in China and many of these expect the same type of private security found in their native countries. During the last decade and in particular since China became a member of the WTO, Watson has noticed a trend in Chinese bodyguard firms seeking formal educational accreditation for their bodyguards and security specialist. As China continues to open up to the modern international world, education and formal qualifications in specialist fields such as personal protection is being sought from renowned ‘subject matter expert’ countries such as Australia, Israel and
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