In News
- 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.
- The PLA’s massing of troops in forwarding areas along the India border,
- 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.
- The passing of the law coincides with stepped-up Chinese activity along the land borders.
- 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.
- The legislature is largely ceremonial in China.
Border Disputes between India and China
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
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
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