Prepare For “All-Out Confrontation,” Chinese Media Warns India

Amid the tense standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at the disputed Doklam plateau in Sikkim sector, state-run Chinese media, Global Times, makes no bones about Chinese aggression if the need arises.

In an Op-Ed titled 'India’s provocation will trigger all-out confrontation on LAC', the paper known to be a mouthpiece of Beijing, argued that China “tries hard to avoid a military clash with India”. “But,” it goes on to add, “China doesn't fear going to war to safeguard sovereignty either, and will make itself ready for a long-term confrontation.”

The editorial went on to add that India should prepare for “all-out confrontation” if it triggers conflict.

New Delhi is “Poisoning” the Atmosphere For Border Negotiations

China can engage in a competition with India over economic and military deployment in the border area. With growing national strength, China is capable of deploying resources in remote border areas.

The writer said one important reason that prompted India to trigger the border dispute was its worry over China's economic development. “China has risen quickly to be the world's No. 2 economy... New Delhi is deeply concerned with China's rapid rise. Provocation at the border reflects India's worry and attempt to sound out China.”

The commentary said China doesn't recognise the land under India's actual control as Indian territory and accused New Delhi of “poisoning” the atmosphere for border negotiations.

This comes after the Chinese military conducted an 11-hour-long live-fire drills in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), not far from Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as part of south Tibet.

Global Times, which has been leading the Chinese media's attack on New Delhi, also claimed that since the 1962 border war, only India has provoked China along the border.

The 3,500-kilometer border has never been short of disputes. Since the 1962 border war, the Indian side has repeatedly made provocations.

‘Withdraw Troops to Avoid Escalation’

On the same day, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said foreign diplomats in Beijing were briefed over the Doklam stand-off and that Indian troops had “illegally” crossed the mutually recognised China-India boundary on the Sikkim section.

He said India “should not take the illegal trespass as a policy to realise its political target” adding, the foreign diplomats in Beijing were “shocked” over the trespass by India.

“The illegal trespass by the Indian border personnel has drawn extensive attention from the international community and many foreign diplomatic missions in China said they were shocked by this,” Lu said.

Lu warned India to withdraw troops from Doklam to avoid an escalation. “We hope the Indian side get the clear understanding of the current situation and take immediate measures to pull back the personnel.”

The India-China Standoff

China and India have been engaged in a standoff in the Doklam area in the Sikkim sector, where Indian troops stopped road construction by Chinese soldiers on 16 June.

China has been demanding immediate pullout of the Indian troops from the disputed Doklam plateau.

Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Doklam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)

(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue? Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL [e-mail] or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)