China builds concrete camps near Naku La in Sikkim, Eastern Ladakh

China

In the midst of the continuing military stalemate with India, the Chinese Army is erecting permanent concrete buildings along the Line of Actual Control, allowing its soldiers to quickly reach the disputed territories with India.

According to senior government sources, one such camp is being built a few kilometres inside Chinese territory, opposite Naku La area in north Sikkim, and is only a few minutes away from the area where Indian and Chinese troops collided last year when the conflict began, as well as in January this year.

The sources said, “The Chinese are building permanent concrete structures which will allow them to deploy troops near the frontline areas. The road infrastructure is also very good which will allow them to reach the border areas with India much more swiftly than before”.

According to the reports, the construction of these warm contemporary buildings has also been spotted near places in eastern Ladakh and the Arunachal sector.

According to the sources, the structures would also assist the Chinese Army in addressing the matter of its soldiers feeling uneasy during winters in advanced regions.

The Chinese forces were extremely uncomfortably deployed in eastern Ladakh during the harsh winters, requiring them to rotate 90 percent of their manpower from there.

The construction of existing buildings in border areas also demonstrates China’s intention to remain in forward positions for an extended period of time.

The Chinese have withdrawn from the Pangong Lake location and have deployed troops back to the Rutog town in the Tibet region under their control. According to the reports, the Chinese have also started constructing infrastructure there.

Since last year, India and China have been at odds as the Chinese advanced forcefully into Indian territory and engaged in deadly clashes with Indian security forces.

The two armies also battled in the Galwan valley, killing numerous Chinese and Indian soldiers. Despite India’s declaration that it lost 20 troops in the fight, China has yet to confirm the number of their deceased soldiers.

Several rounds of negotiations have taken place between India and China, but the results have been disappointing.

The Chinese have also been pulling their feet in settling difficulties at flashpoints and are hesitant to commit to resolving outstanding concerns.