China’s new law ‘formalises’ its LAC actions

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.
• 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.

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