China’s new law ‘formalises’ its LAC actions

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  • China’s legislature has adopted a new border law, to take effect on January 1.
    • It calls on the state and military to safeguard the territory and ‘combat any acts’ that undermine China’s territorial claims.

About the New Border law

  • The law was first proposed in March 2022 after a year of tensions that erupted along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India.
  • The law “stipulates that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China are sacred and inviolable”.
    • The state shall take measures to safeguard territorial integrity and land boundaries.
    • They should guard against and combat any act that undermines territorial sovereignty and land boundaries.
    • It also calls on the state to:
      • take measures to strengthen border defence,
      • support economic and social development as well as opening-up in border areas, 
      • improve public services and infrastructure in such areas, 
      • encourage and support people’s life and work there, and 
      • promote coordination between border defence and social, economic development in border areas
  • Thus, the new law seeks to formalise some of China’s recent actions in disputed territories with both India and Bhutan which includes:
    • The PLA’s massing of troops in forwarding areas along the India border,
      • China moved 2 divisions of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near the Indian Borders.
    • Multiple transgressions across the LAC, and 
    • The construction of new “frontier villages” along the border with Bhutan.
  • China has unresolved border disputes with India and Bhutan.
  • The law also says China will “handle land border-related affairs with neighbouring countries through negotiations to properly resolve disputes and long-standing border issues”.

Issues

  • Security and economic issues:
    • The law designates the various responsibilities of the military, the State Council or Cabinet, and provincial governments.
    • Article 22 of the law says the PLA 
      • “shall carry out border duties” including “organising drills” and 
      • “resolutely prevent, stop and combat invasion, encroachment, provocation and other acts”. 
  • Timings of the Legislation:
    • The passing of the law coincides with stepped-up Chinese activity along the land borders.
      • Along the LAC, the PLA violated 4 past border agreements that had broadly helped maintain peace since the signing of the 1993 pact on maintaining peace and tranquillity.
    • The law will give a stamp of approval for the military’s recent actions in disputed areas.
  • Depicts the intent of Xi Regime
    • The legislature is largely ceremonial in China.
      • It is controlled by the ruling Communist Party.
    • It’s vote signifies that Xi Regime is very aggressive on the protection and exploitation of the country’s land border areas.

Border Disputes between India and China

  • China for the first time massing a huge number of troops in forwarding areas and sought to unilaterally redraw the LAC.
  • It has intruded in 
    • the Galwan Valley, where a clash in June 2020 marked the worst violence since 1967, Pangong Lake, Demchok, Depsang, and other areas. 
  • 18 months into the tensions in Eastern Ladakh, military talks are still ongoing, with India insisting on a return to the status quo.

Source: The Economist (Please note this map is only for reference, J&K is an integral part of India)

Sino-Bhutanese Border Dispute and Role of India

  • With Bhutan, China has taken de facto control over the disputed Doklam plateau, including by building civilian settlements, or frontier villages, along the border.
  • This is part of a broader campaign to build 628 “moderately well off villages” to encourage mostly herders to settle in border areas.
    • China is including disputed territories, to affirm China’s territorial claims.
  • Recently, China has also claimed Sakteng wildlife sanctuary aka Bhutan Nature park.
    • It is contiguous with Tawang Valley and does not touch the China Border.
  • India- Bhutan Friendship Treaty is in place and being renegotiated.
    • Under that India is obliged to protect Bhutan from any external aggression.
    • In this pursuit, there was Doklam Standoff between India and Bhutan.

Source: Economic Times

Source: StratNews Global

Way Forward

  • India must be always ready for the protection of its sovereignty.
  • For preparedness
    • Mock drills may be carried on in the region.
    • Building up good infrastructure in the border area.
    • Amassing enough arsenal and modernising Indian Weapons.
  • India should also ensure the protection of Bhutan.

Source: TH