Beijing‘s claims of peaceful intentions are under scrutiny as reports from ANI news on February 13, 2024, reveal ongoing territorial expansions by China. Chairman Xi Jinping’s statement to President Joe Biden, asserting China‘s non-aggressive nature, contrasts sharply with actions along its borders and at sea. The country is actively extending its territory, affecting nations like Bhutan and India, and making bold moves in the South China Sea and near Japan’s Senkaku Islands.
According to a detailed assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the USA, China is significantly boosting its military presence along the Indian border. This includes new constructions and upgrades to airports and heliports in Tibet and Xinjiang, enhancing the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) capacity to deploy forces rapidly. The development pace in these regions has notably increased following border tensions with India in 2017 and 2020, including the Doklam Plateau and Galwan Valley incidents.
The importance of air infrastructure is magnified in the challenging terrain of Tibet and Xinjiang, providing crucial support for troop and equipment movement. The CSIS report points out a substantial increase in air facilities, with 37 airports and heliports being newly built or upgraded since 2017, many of which are military or dual-use. Such expansions are particularly focused in Tibet, with several new airports constructed close to the Indian border.
In addition to air infrastructure, China has also been enhancing its road and rail networks in these areas, which serve both economic and military purposes. For example, new roads connecting to the Indian border and a high-speed railway from Lhasa to Nyingchi, which has already been used for PLA troop movements, illustrate this dual use.
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China‘s territorial ambitions extend beyond its land borders. In Bhutan, China has been using “salami-slicing” tactics to gradually take over territory, as seen in the construction of settlements like Gyalaphug village. This aggressive strategy has led to strained negotiations and heightened tensions.
At sea, China‘s maritime claims have led to disputes with neighboring countries, including the Philippines and Japan. Recent statements from Chinese officials and state media have done little to ease these tensions, often exacerbating the situation with provocative rhetoric.
The situation in Eastern Ladakh between China and India remains tense, with both nations maintaining a significant military presence in the region. Despite talks and partial troop disengagements, China has continued to fortify its positions, constructing new infrastructure like bridges and a divisional-level headquarters near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The ongoing territorial expansions by China highlight a contradiction between its public stance on peace and its actions on the ground and at sea. These developments, as reported by ANI news, underscore the complexities of regional security dynamics and the challenges facing nations along China‘s borders.
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