Beijing has voiced uncharacteristically strong warnings to India this week, each growing stronger by the day. Following the release Wednesday by China’s foreign ministry of evidence in support of demands that Indian troops withdraw from disputed territory, Beijing again issued a warning late Thursday night that the Chinese military’s restraint has limits.
The same week that saw a massive show of military strength to mark the People’s Liberation Army’s ninetieth anniversary also saw tensions ratcheted up beyond the level seen recently in any of China’s other territorial disputes. Beijing has clearly drawn a line in the sand that Indian troops need to vacate the area in dispute at once. The repeated advice Thursday night indicated India had yet to heed the warning.
A barrage of coverage in Chinese state media may serve as another message that China is prepared to act. The government-controlled media has made daily reminders to their Chinese audience that Indian troops have entered Chinese territory, that the PLA’s patience is limited, and that China’s military is ready to fight.
That last point is of special importance in the context of PLA anniversary, and a recent documentary celebrating Xi Jinping’s reform of China’s armed forces. The widely aired episode of a ten part series touting China’s reforms stressed the PLA’s preparedness for battle, and also hinted at the necessity for the military to see action.
One army official interviewed in the documentary, Li Huohui, explained during the episode, entitled “Road to a Strong Military”, that military drills held in Zhurihe, Inner Mongolia exposed an important weakness in China’s military.
“[China] hasn’t fought a war in many years, and as such a mentality of peace has developed. Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that the army is for fighting wars.”
The Zhurihe military base, where the drills that Li referred to were held, was also the site of the PLA anniversary parade held last Sunday, a show of military power no doubt intended to instill pride in the Chinese public as much as to intimidate potential foes.
Following the display of military might, this week saw an already tense dispute with India grow even more so when Beijing released its statement on Wednesday. The document emphasized that so far China has exhibited a “high degree of restraint”, but that no country should “underestimate the Chinese government and people’s resolve to defend sovereignty of their territory.”
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang explained the reason behind China’s statement and demands “was to make clear to the international community the facts of India’s incursion into Chinese territory, and to fully state the position of the Chinese government.”
Speaking on a China Central Television news segment over a banner which asked “how much more time will be given to India to ‘correct their mistake?’”, China Institute of International Studies Vice Dean Rong Ying said documents such as the one released Wednesday were not common, and that this situation was likely to drag on for some time, regardless of whether India withdrew the troops.
Regarding the drawing down of troops from a peak of more than 400 to the more recent number of 40 cited by China in the Wednesday paper, Rong played down the significance.
“The situation hasn’t really seen any change. While the number of troops has gone down, that just means that the confrontation between the two sides at the site has eased,” he said. “More importantly, even if Indian troops completely withdraw, afterward the problem will still be there. The investigation of the situation and how to resolve it, these issues still have to be dealt with. So I think it is very hard to predict, and there is no way to judge from the current state of affairs where we are, even more so to say we are already seeing the end.”
Despite the prominence given to this situation by China’s foreign ministry and press, Beijing has shown restraint in the language used, shying away from direct statements that use of force is imminent. China will also be eager to play up cooperation with India on the international stage when BRICS nations meet next month, and is hoping to come to an early agreement on the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership trade deal, which Beijing will need New Delhi’s help with. Not to mention, military action may be too risky for Xi Jinping to risk ahead of the upcoming Party Congress.
All these factors lead one to believe that China’s state media will continue to be careful not to raise expectations of use of force too high among its domestic audience. But with the endless barrage of images of armed forces ready for action, that may be hard to do.
Doklam is not a significant issue in China and only western media and their agents in Indian media are making a big deal of it and stirring up tension.
China has given India enough time. All remaining Indian tresspassers should be arrested, charged and jailed, any equipment unconditionally confiscated.
China is on solid ground. The construction was notified 2 weeks in advance to India without India giving any objection (this crucial piece was omitted by most indian commentators, no surprise there). Even if India has concerns once construction began it should begin with estabilishing diplomatic contact on the issue, Instread India sent in troops to clearly none-Indian territroy without diplomacy, and want to engage in diplimacy while its troops remains. Clearly Indians are the ones at fault. Also if same principle is applied, China can send in troops into whole of south Tibet to halt any Indian construction, and the troops can remain there indefinetly until diplomacy is resolved. Does this work?
As for the bogus Indian claim its sending in troops on Bhutan’s behalf, can China now send in troops on Pakistan’s hehalf into disputed territory? Did Indians really thought it through before speaking something they will regret?
Also some background info, its now confirmed Bhutan have never exercised administrative rights to the area in question, and Bhutan never had maps of their territory prior to joint survey with China in 1980s. Also, Bhutan did not lay a formal claim to the disputed territory in question until the 14th (or was it 20th) round of talks, in year 2000, persumeably under Indian persuation. Now, this incident has spurred many Bhutan friends to want to conclude the border with China without anymore delay, which according to both sides the basic principle boundary was agreed to long ago, Bhutan was only holding back to due "indian sensitivities" and China, understand Bhutan’s unique "condition" with India, was not pressing for it. Now it seems Indians over played their hand and Bhutan no longer to be a pawn in Indian’s game against China. It will be interesting to see when the real settlement comes does the released document show the area in question was indeed slated to be Chinese long ago. Meanwhile, any Indian moves in Bhutan should be examined and observed carefully to see if they try something funny.
See ; Wangcha Sangey blog
Friday, August 4, 2017
The Strategy behind India’s Doklam transgression: Here is the Ugliness.
Oh…. india entered in Doklam on request of Bhutan . Who r u to talk of legality when u urself have violated UNCLOS w.r.t. Philippines sovereignty?
Dear hypocritic chinese …By the way why are u constructing cpec in Indian territory in collusion with pakistan when u can’t simply resist the same treatment in Bhutanese territory?
Shut up u nonsense crap of a belligerent and overconfident country.
China is just a bigger and richer North Korea.
Vinayak Kumar Still pretending you Indians are speaking on Bhutan’s behalf? For all this time Bhutan never public confirmed it for you. Show me when Bhutan officially confirmed for you they did requested your army to enter on their behalf. Don’t conjur up fake news to suit your need. In fact many Bhutanese is complaing you are still having condescending attitude towards them in this episode and wants to conclude the border without giving any more care what you Indians think it as its Bhutan’s soverign right. Like I said, Limus test comes when border does concludes will the recorded docuemnts show the area was indeed to be Chinese long time ago but couldnt be implemented only because of you Inidans.
BTW, we know now what you were pulling in Nepal and Sri Lanka and sikkim, UN should send observers into Bhutan to ensure no more dirty Indian underhand dealings in Bhutan untl things are settled.
UNCLOS is a new convention in 1994 that drastically changed nations legitimate claims on the high seas, and China has dissagreements with interpretations of part of its articles, because it altered what would be legitimate claims of Chinese territory before UNCLOS. There’s plenty of nations that have problems with UNCLOS including US Russia Taiwan Japan just to name a significant few that are directly invovled. So far not a shot’s been fired (From Chinese, same cannot be said of Phillippines) and negotiations are ongoing. This has nothing to do with this episde involving India but just FYI.
CPEC is whoelly another issue involving broader India and China border dispute and China is just constructing in territroy it effectively controls just like India is doing in hers. Again nothing to do with this episode. Trying to muddy the water? Even if trying to drag it in it still does not hide the fact in this episode its Indians upping the ante by sending troops into territory the other side effectively controls. Any answers to that? Hm?
Simple rule of thumb: Whatever China is, India is simply worse.
Vinayak Kumar which one? The one with the likes of you in it?
FYI he’s pointing to a Bhutanese blogger. Goes to show your Indians attitude towards Bhutan.
Vinayak Kumar
Cpec in Indian territory
No harm in dreaming
OmG � ur claimig a terroritory before 14 th century as urs . Why not you understand that Tibet is an independent country till 19th century? why not you understand that Whole of Indian Subcontinent is India till 19th century? we claimed those disbuted land since the lamd between India and Tibet , so we clearly know the line . Your the intruders so you dont knw .
China is not a friendly to all neighbor , better clean up all the mess in your country make it a safe place to live then claim others land .
Dear Chines. Follow the international.rules and law in SCSea and then teach the world. China has becoming much arrogant day by day. Remember Gr8 power comes with Gr8 Responsibility.
Chinese have proven yet again that they are weak bullies with string voice… All the best PLA. You are welcome to taste spicy Indian curry…
Dont over estimate your power. If China want a war then the indian punch will be so hard so keepon dreaming..
China could strike hard, but then have to face many geopolitical enemies. So it is better to give the Indians some face first.
Zaher Sufi true they will in Pakistan
It seems that Indians have confident that China won’t loose its billion dollar business with india and Chinese are also hesitating in the fear of loosing their business with India. India is looking for a good reason to decrease its trade deficeit with China and waiting for first hit by China. When China hit first and war begins, then India withdraw its military and stops business with China. Very cleaver strategy by India! Afterall Modi is a Gujarati Indian!
You are a product of an oppressed society who has been raised to believe whatever the "STATE" chooses to convey.
As far as warnings go, here’s one from India : Halt your war mongering and control your colonial style expansionist mindset . Today’s world doesn’t work like that no matter how strident your state controlled media s ravings and rantings are. The Chinese are trying to be the Britain of the 19th century when there were no nuclear weapons or the kind of economic implications that are a reality today. China has been roundly condemned by the EU and is in trouble with half the western world despatching warships to South China sea, yet your communist politburo chooses to ignore the warning signs and continues to threat and grandstand.
If China still refuses to read the writing on the wall then it’s your funeral.
Bring it on , let’s see…..
India won’t back off an inch to let you guys build roads wherever the hell you want. You have 2 allies in this world (both rogue nations controlled by madmen… N.Korea and Pakistan)
India has the diplomatic and moral support of the civilized world.
Proceed at your own risk. Bluster and bravado don’t always work. Understood Mr.State bred geo politico analyst ?
Media is hyping doklam issue . India and China have many border disputes and this is one of them. Both China and India should not be pressurised by western media local media and Pakistan to go even for limited war. This can be dangerous for both countries. And this is what others want to weaken both India and China. I think both leaders are mature enough to understand it. Both top level leaders should once for all sit and resolve total border issue by give and take and then work peacefully for their people uplift ment. China should understand India can be very useful partner to them than terrorist Pakistan and they can win world together.
If china & India occupide Bhutani land they should vacuat it. Respect their soverginity .
If what you say is the case,why the world still hear about it. If China is as strong as it claim by showing off its’ military might then step up the heat on India like it did Tibet 60 years ago. China knows it can’t step up heat when both nations has a mutual destructional weapons. Don’t think for a second the world (EU,UN,US) know China is not what it shows the world to be.
China is a Big Bully in the ASEAN!!! West Phil Sea is not yours.
Chinese has bullied almost all countries of the world.By the way, they try to show muscle flexing to the world.Near future they will destroy themselves for their arrogance like Hitler.
First remove ban for Google and Facebook..in China..and bark in facebook
Military industry is one of the largest industry in the world.Hundreds of billions of dollars worth military hardware and software businesses take place. The main reason is to strengthen a country’s armed forces.The economy of the nations supplying military hardware depends on the export , but if exports fall, most of the military factories will close down, thousands will be rendered unemployed.
How can these nations wish for peace around the world? India, Pakistan and China at loggerheads and on the brink of war is a good business opportunity for the nations exporting weapons.
India ,Pakistan and China are still grappling with poverty, that is millions of people.
If there is peace, the billions of dollars spent on the military hardware could be utilised for eradicating poverty and building a better life for the citizens.
Humans are still barbaric, even though times are different now , with progress in education,science and technologies.
War is destructive and painful with loss of lives and everything around.
Hope, someday there will be peace and cooperation amongst nation for the good of the billions of people, instead of wasting so much money on war machines.
Zaher Sufi
U also dreamt abt west pakistan as yr territory.
Loosers should keep their mouth shut when able ppl are talking.
Zaher Sufi
Bootlickers like pakis should keep their mouth shut.
Let cpec be functional 1ce then u will find the chinese dagger in yr arse only to realise that u r mere a chinese colony with no existence of pak.
U worry abt nepal dont speculate wt Indian military wud do or not do.
Qian Deng
Dont worry we will break yr thumb if thats problematic 4 u. Then u cn use yr middle finger to clear up yr arse.
U r already surrounded with enemies.
Except north korea and beggar pakistan u wont find any1 coming up for yr rescue.
Blame yr self for ww3 should a war break out any time soon.
Qian Deng
U built artificial islands in SCS and said that it wont harbour military equipment bt it does.
Do u still feel that u cn built up road in a strategic loc like doklam which is a bhutanese territory to get an edge over the low lying territory of India? and the world wud simply accept yr verdict just cus u feel yr military might is slightly higher as compared to Indian army.
Everbody knows about yr nefarious expansionist strategy so dont act innocent.
U will learn the lesson the hard way if u dont stop acting like maniac who goes around fiddling with others just cus u think u r big in size so u can do wtever u feel like.
Qian Deng,
Please rest assured. We do not kill 4000 children, college students, and claim to be an open and peace loving country. You might recall the famous square.
This line of thought does not seem logical.
One of the major defence equipment manufacturer is China.
Milind Joshi does Gujarat or babri masjid ring a bell MF?
Sanjeev Deb china is a bully in a asia. They don’t know how to respect other nations. They are cowards who only knew how to bully smaller nations that cannot much them militarily. See what the chinese are doing in south china sea. They knew that philippines and vietnam cannot much them, that’s why they grab the land illegally in the pretext that they are part of china…When the US has the naval base in Subic, Phillipines they never made the claim that they own any single land in EEZ in the west philippine sea…They are afraid that the US will bomb them to stone age…They need the resources in those area to feed their hungry population…ASEAN should unite to stop this bully who is hell bent to grab what ever land and resources they could get…STOP those M******F*****Rs.
A Azeem Osman ,
Thanks for pointing out. Whatever happened in Gujarat was subjected to due process of law and culprits booked. But you may not understand. In your case the % of minorities have shrunk to 1 percent of the number present in 1947. A Christian player is needed to change his religion to play for the country. Hope your generation has the character to see what your country has become – a bed of international terrorism.
Read the articles in Chinese state daily Global Times. You will come to know that who is creating tensions
India still have a camp now in Nepal’s territory where they entered during war with china. China is a great country with vision of peace and prosperity, India should join hand with china instead of being puppet of west.
It is happening due to big mouth Chinese media.
China doesn’t respect international laws as evident in the case of South China Sea ICJ ruling against China. Chinese people should not discuss about protocol,rules etc. India has done what it deemed justified. Matter ends there.
As far the Nepalese are concerned that Chinese have never interfered in our internal matter or that of any nation in South Asia, while India is always interferring in the internal affairs of its neighbors. India’s foreign policy is a big failure in this region!
Vinayak Kumar Here it is an article by Wang Chasangey a Bhutanese person whom contradicts totally what you are saying.
http://wangchasangey.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-strategy-behind-india-doklam.html#comment-form
So, stop making nonsense accusations.
Finally all these threats from china were a farce. China did not dare to follow up on their hollow threats.