China intensified military presence, infra build-up along LAC in 2022 amid tension with India: Pentagon
PTC News Desk: China increased its military presence and infrastructure build-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2022 in response to border tensions with India, according to a Pentagon report.
According to the 'Military and Security Developments involving the People's Republic of China' report 2023, Beijing's infrastructure push along the LAC includes underground storage facilities, new roads, a dual-purpose airport, and multiple helipads.
The report says, "Since early May 2020, sustained tensions along the India-China border have dominated the Western Theater Command's attention. Differing perceptions between India and the PRC regarding border demarcations along the LAC, combined with recent infrastructure construction on both sides, led to multiple clashes, an ongoing standoff, and military buildups along the shared border."
In response to the Galwan Valley clash, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers, China's Western Theater Command implemented large-scale mobilisation and deployment along the LAC. According to the report, the deployments will most likely continue throughout this year.
According to the report, negotiations between India and China "made minimal progress as both sides resisted losing perceived border advantages."
The report further adds, "In 2022, China continued to develop military infrastructure along the LAC."
Underground storage facilities near Doklam, new roads in all three sectors of the LAC, new villages in disputed areas in neighbouring Bhutan, a second bridge across Pangong Lake, a dual-purpose airport near the centre sector, and multiple helipads are among the improvements.
Further, addressing the military deployments, the report says, "In 2022, China deployed one border regiment, supported by two divisions of Xinjiang and Tibet Military Districts with four combined arms brigades (CAB) in reserve in the western sector of the LAC. China also deployed as many as three light-to-medium CABs in the eastern sector from other theater commands and an additional three CABs in the central sector of the LAC. Although some elements of a light CAB eventually withdrew, a majority of the deployed forces remain in place along the LAC."
According to the Pentagon report, China has over 500 operational nuclear warheads and will most likely have over 1,000 by 2030. It also stated that the Chinese Navy, which is already the largest in the world, continues to grow.
- With inputs from agencies
