August 22, 2017
Beijing: Chaos if China follows India's
logic and enters Indian territory
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
There will be "chaos" in the Leh region if they follow India's "ridiculous" logic and enter the Indian territory in Kashmir to disrupt construction projects along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), China said Tuesday (August 22).
"If we tolerate India's ridiculous logic, then anyone who dislikes the activity at his neighbour's home can break into his neighbour's house," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was quoted as saying by the Indian newspapers.
"Does that mean when China thinks that large scale construction of infrastructure in the border area is posing a threat, it can enter India's territory? Wouldn't that be utter chaos?," Chunying added.
On August 15, Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed on the northern bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, China was just conducting "normal" patrols in the region and it was Indian soldiers who started the clash.
Responding to Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Hua Chunying said, "China loves peace and firmly upholds peace. At the same time, we will safeguard our territorial integrity and sovereignty. We allow no country or any individual to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty."
Indian Home Minister Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday expressed confidence that the ongoing tiff between India and China over the tri-junction area of the Doklam sector near Bhutan will be resolved soon, and peace will be restored between the two neighbours.
Addressing a gathering at the symbolic Pipping Ceremony Promotions of officers and personnel of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) forces , Rajnath stated that he is looking forward to a positive move from China, adding that the bilateral relations of India with its neighbours should involve solace, not struggle.
"We have healthy relations with other countries, and this has also been the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We want peace, not struggle. I agree that there is a rift between India and China over the Doklam issue. I am sure that there will be a positive move from China, after which the matter will be resolved and peace will be restored," said Rajnath.
"So the fact is that the Indian side has illegally trespassed the boundary and violated the agreement on the boundary that has been recognised and abided by (for) over 130 years. So we urge the Indian side to take concrete actions and make positive moves to correct its wrongdoing," Chunying said Tuesday.
She repeated China was committed to maintaining peace in the region. "China loves peace and firmly upholds peace," Chunying explained while adding they will safeguard their territorial integrity and sovereignty at all cost.
"We allow no country or any individual to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty," Chunying asserted.
Sikkim-Standoff
India and China have been locked in a standoff over the Doklam plateau for over two months now.
The dispute began in June, when the Indian soldiers stopped Chinese troops from constructing a road in the border region. India claimed the construction in the region will seriously affect the security in the tri-junction and the sensitive Chicken Neck that connects the northeast with mainland India.
On Monday, China released a video titled '7 sins of India', about the Doklam border standoff.
"On June 18, Indian troops carrying weapons and driving two bulldozers crossed the Sikkim sector and entered Chinese territory. It obstructed Chinese road works in the region causing a standoff between the two sides," says the Xinhua video.
"It (India) should remain sober and guard against any future poor judgement...Any spiral into some kind of hostile rivalry could be disastrous," the video warns.
PLA conducts military exercises 'to strike awe in India'
China's People's Liberation Army's (PLA) conducted military exercises in an unknown location to "strike awe in India", said Global Times reported on Monday.
Global Times pointed out that the drills were conducted "amid tensions in Doklam” to "lay the ground for plateau warfare".
More than 10 PLA units from the 'western theater command' participated in the drills. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is closest to India, is where the 'western theater command' is most prominent. The units included aviation and armored forces, said Global Times reported.
Sino-India frictions raise potential for open conflict: CRS
Intensified frictions between India and China raise the potential for an open conflict and could serve as an "impetus" for further US-India strategic cooperation that could have implications for Beijing, Press Trust of India quoted a Congressional report as saying.
The two-page brief report by bipartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) titled 'China-Border Tensions at Doka La' was released on August 9 but reported by the PTI on August 19.
"Intensified frictions raise the potential for open conflict and could serve as an impetus for further US-India strategic cooperation that could have implications for China."
Bruce Vaughn, Specialist in Asian Affairs, the report writer, pointed out that the border standoff at Doka La marks a shift in China-India ties that likely has more to do with the broader relationship than with the Himalayan border alone. "An intensification of rivalry between China and India appears to be underway," he wrote.
"For New Delhi, China's efforts to block India from membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, develop the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through a part of Kashmir claimed by India, protect a Pakistan-based terrorist from UN sanctions, and develop China's strategic presence in the Indian Ocean littoral have combined to increase New Delhi's frustration with and suspicion of China," Vaughn wrote.
"China has been wary of India's decisions to not attend China's Belt and Road summit in May 2017, allow the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, and continue to develop strategic ties with the US. Given these larger dynamics, as well as specific statements and posturing on Doka La, it may be some time before the dispute is fully resolved," the report concluded.
Abdus Sattar Ghazali is the Chief Editor of the Journal of America.
The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
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