The Chinese foreign minister released an official statement Wednesday alleging Indian border incursion into Chinese territory, providing purported photo evidence. It was the strongest sign yet that Beijing is drawing a red line that Indian forces must respect China’s border claims, or else.
First Post published an English translation of the full statement.
On Chinese television, pundits talked about the chances that the People’s Liberation Army will resort to use of force on the issue. Focus Today, a show which holds panel discussions on international relations and security issues, usually choosing different topics each day, has been focused almost exclusively on the Sikkim standoff for weeks even as North Korea tensions grow.
Commentator on China’s state-run CCTV, Teng Jianqun, answered an audience email question about the chances of China using force to resolve the Sikkim standoff:
In the 1962 situation we held back for 3 years, in the end India still continued to provoke China, we had no choice but to fight back, but afterwards [China] still returned to its own territory. These actions showed China’s great responsibility as a powerful country, but I think it’s still hard for India to break old habits.
This behavior, in terms of the how the whole situation is developing, will bring extremely serious consequences. [India] may not have considered these consequences. They may still feel as though their own military power is not so bad, and there are more than 100,000 troops amassed on their border, while on China’s side troop numbers are relatively sparse.
That type of conclusion, I think, would bring danger, but should we resort to force, both sides would have to take responsibility for consequences. Also, if we look at the 1962 conflict all the way until today India is still holding this grudge.
The statement released by the foreign ministry is perhaps the clearest signal given yet that Beijing is drawing a line in the sand. The standoff in Doka La is several miles south of where India puts the tri-border with China, but several miles north of Gamochen, where Beijing puts the border, as Jeff Smith wrote last month.
China does not bluff nor encroach on other nation’s territory. India should not be foolish nor think that it can steal Chinese territory with impunity.
The fact is that licensing fees for China were discriminatory, monopolistic and higher than those charged in other parts of the world. The companies have the option of withdrawing from the Chinese marketplace.
A few observations :
The 1890 Treaty specifically stated that Mt Gamochen to be the tri-border point while India interpreted from the general watershed priciple that the tri-border is at Batang La. Which take precedent ? If India is right then the mention of Mt Gamochen in the 1890 Treaty is superfluous.
Further the reports always mentioned that the Doklam area is disputed but kept silent about who is in effective control. It seems this dispute arised belatedly in the 20th round of the Sino-Bhutan border talks apparently prodded on by India’s hidden hand.
The Indian argument that this is disputed territory and any building of roads would alter the status quo and the strategic balance. Applying this same logic to the disputed Arunachal Pradesh ( South Tibet Region ) , India should cease all activities there as they are altering the status quo.
For further perspertive and better details refer to Wangcha Sangey’s blog
With this development, karma has caught up with China’s greed and expansionist ambitions. They deserve to be snatched of their territory the way they have been stealing territories from it’s neighbors in the South China Sea. Somebody like India has to stop China into encroaching into others’ territories to maintain the peace and security in Asia.
China should vacate tibet otherwise india will nuke all china cities
The Dragon is getting dangerous day by day. They have an agenda of capturing other’s land inch by inch without fighting a war. Except India & Japan all its neighbors are afraid of them. Taking advantage of that they have occupied SCS. Bhutan is in India’s protection because of China. They regard Bhutan as part of Tibet. China thought that no one can challenge their overtures due to its muscle power. India should be supported by all for protecting Bhutan’s sovereignty & it’s NE region from this land grabbing hungry Dragon.
Here’s a link from SCMP giving more details
http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/geopolitics/article/2103601/bhutan-can-solve-its-border-problem-china-if-india-lets-it
Apparently the exact location of dispute has been administered from Tibet until 1904, and was a important trading route between Tibet and British India. It was clear the area was administered from Tibet administrations. A small enclave within the area in dispute was granted to a political figure in Bhutan in 1900s, however its only a small enclave, not the whole area. As such Bhutan’s claim to the whole area is flawed.
As for the 1890 treaty, its very easy. If watershed principle is containted in an article and another geographical feature is also mentioned in another article of the treaty, then "AND" clause will logically be used. Combined with situation described above (if factually proven) then it all makes sense as the area was administered from Tibet at the time 1890 treaty is signed.
This is a general deduction. If someone can dig up the sources and confirm the above then we will have a clearer and confirmed picture. However if this confirmed to be true, then Indian duplicity is fully exposed. Ignoring clearly defined articles in the treaty, ignore facts on the ground that supoorted the article and self-defining it to further its cause; hand-wrining Bhutan in the backroom to make the situation difficult for all parties to advance its own perceived narrow interest at everyone’s expense (India itself will not benefit from this row if examined objectively)
Someone should show those arrogant indians their place.
Those unhygienic indian rats should be taught a lesson
Please take your medicine on time n then comment…or r u on dope.
The time has come to show smelly chinky Manchurians, that they are not the one’s who can look down at anyone without sufferring any consequences. They have been barking too long as usual, since eating dogs tend to give you the same behaviourial characterstics. Two months have passed and still barking… Meh!!!!