Centre for China Analysis and Strategy

CHINA-INDIA: THE DOKA LA FACE-OFF AND CHINA'S THREATS

On July 30, 2017 a retired PLA Major General Yao Yunzhu, presently Director Emeritus at the PLA’s prestigious Academy of Military Science (AMS) Centre on China-America Defence Relations and whose remarks usually reflect the official Chinese ‘line’, described the face-off as of “unprecedented nature” that could make Beijing look for a strong resolution. She claimed the CCP and the PLA are under “huge pressure” to take strong action against the “invasion”. Yao Yunzhu was quoted as saying “China and India are unlikely to go to war, depending how you define war. If it is very small, if it is a limited-scale military operation against an aggression, it is possible. So, we are talking about very specific military operational issues. What I want to say is that for this Doklam (Donglang) event, Indians have intruded, invaded Chinese territory. That is something that has to be corrected. That is what I have been stressing.” She added “trespass” is “intolerable”. Saying she is: “not going to be talk about war or military operations, limited or unlimited without a context. The context is this — not only India, any country that has invaded China (or) Chinese territory and stayed on would have to be dealt with whatever means we have, because we cannot accept Chinese territory to be invaded and occupied.” She also said “Let us be specific. We are talking about Doklam (Donglang) incident, not generally along the border. Because on the border we have other mechanisms (to resolve disputes). We should analyse them case by case. But Doklam is an unique case, it is an established border line, uncontested territory. I will not say surgical operation, or missile strike or whatever. I will not specify….with whatever means, It has to be corrected…you have an invasion, you have to defeat that invasion.” She added “We are stronger. The Chinese military is stronger compared to the Indian military... not only in numbers of aircraft, warships, artillery pieces, tanks, we have a much stronger defence industrial base.”

A Global times article published on July 26, 2017 and captioned 'India’s intrusion into Chinese territory angers veterans of the 1962 battleby Huang Jingjing claimed that 'veterans say they would send their sons to fight in event of another war with India. The main points are: (i)Chinese veterans of the 1962 Sino-Indian war recollect details of the war and pledge to go to the battlefield again if needed; (ii) The commemoration of China's victory in the 1962 war has been kept low-key out of care for India's feelings; and (iii) Beijing proved to the world its promise of peaceful rise by announcing unilateral cease-fire and withdrawal in the war, but many Chinese think the retreat left some parts of Chinese territory back to India's control. It said India's trespass into Chinese territory has angered many veterans in China who fought the war on the Sino-Indian border 55 years ago and they have vowed to send their children to the battle field if another war is needed. Chen Qungeng, director of the 1962 border war veterans association in Shaanxi Province, was quoted by Global Times as saying "India's intrusion and denial to withdraw has set off a wave of anger among us. When we heard that the army unit where we used to serve has been recently dispatched to Tibet, we felt excited. A 73-year-old man in Xi'an, who was an anti-aircraft gun soldier during the war, said "if needed, we are willing to send our sons and grandsons to the frontline." Global Times said that 'In mid-June, Indian troops crossed the Sikkim section of the China-India border and attempted to interrupt a road construction in the Doklam area in Yadong county of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Despite repeated protests by Beijing, New Delhi enhanced troop deployment and continued a face-off with Chinese troops.Chen Qungeng also said the veterans are planning activities to mark the 55th anniversary of the war. Previously, they always kept low-profile. This year, they want to be different.

A Global Times article captioned "Time for a second lesson for forgetful India" by John Gong published on July 24, 2017, warned that "the public's patience is running short with India's Doklam transgression. Nothing can stand in the way of China's and Chinese people's dignity. No government in the world can stand still doing nothing while its borders are being violated". It quoted Liu Youfa, China's former Consul General in Mumbai as saying on on China Global TV News (CGTN) that if "India continues down this intransigent path, perhaps it is time that it be taught a second lesson. Their troops in Doklam could either withdraw voluntarily, be captured or may be killed when border disputes escalate." Stating that "As always, India's logic of reasoning on this matter is as feeble as its troops on the ground", the article reiterated that "no matter what vassalage relationship India maintains with Bhutan, it baffles this author that India has the courage to transgress another country on its behalf. And in this case, Indian troops even entered into Doklam from the China-Sikkim border. Well, if this kind of logic holds, a third country can certainly enter into Kashmir, including India-controlled Kashmir, upon Pakistan's invitation. (This is not a far-fetched idea.)" The article added "Now let's also bear in mind that India has a history of harboring the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala as a strategic counter-China ploy. Underneath the Dalai Lama's façade of peace, there lies a trace of violence at least half a century old. Immediately after he fled to India in 1959, the Dalai Lama became the CIA's henchman in engaging in a terrorist guerrilla war on China. In more recent years, the Tibetan Youth Congress, the armed wing of the Dalai Lama's regime, instigated several violent riots and is responsible for several terrorist bombings in China. In a way, India is actively harboring terrorism against the Chinese." The article then declared "To such an unruly neighbor, China should reciprocate in a language that India can understand. The famous or infamous India bravado is never backed up by substance in its history with China. If memory is short on the Indian side, perhaps there should be a second lesson. China is embarking on a historic mission to be a peaceful, prosperous and powerful nation as it has been in history. It can't afford to be constantly distracted by border skirmishes with India."

Another Global times article the same day (July 24, 2017) personally attacked India's NSA Ajit Doval as "one of the main schemers behind the current border standoff between Chinese and Indian troops, the Indian media is pinning high hopes on the trip to settle the ongoing dispute." It asserted that "Beijing is firm that India's withdrawal from Chinese territory is a precondition and a basis for any meaningful dialogue between the two sides. The Chinese side will not talk with India on the issue before the Indian troops' unconditional withdrawal from Chinese territory. New Delhi should give up its illusions, and Doval's Beijing visit is most certainly not an opportunity to settle the standoff in accordance with India's will." It said "India is wrong by brazenly crossing the Sino-Indian border in the Sikkim sector, and must correct its mistakes. China will neither jeer nor express gratitude for India's retreat. New Delhi must give up all its illusions. People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces are being deployed to the border area, and will take effective countermeasures if India refuses to pull back voluntarily. The PLA is capable enough to take actions that neither Indian troops nor the government can afford. We don't believe India is willing and determined to have an all-out military showdown with China. If it chooses this path, Beijing will fight to the end to safeguard its territory and resist being deterred or hijacked by any force. New Delhi will have to pay a heavy price." Again calling on India to unconditionally withdraw its troops, the article said that "India's voluntary withdrawal will incur the least cost to it. If Beijing takes countermeasures, New Delhi will be mired in a more passive political and military situation, and face its most serious strategic setback since 1962."

Wu Qian, spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on July 24, 2017, issued the strongest warning yet to India over the month-long India-China border face-off, saying Beijing would protect its sovereignty “at all costs”. He also said that China planned to strengthen its “targeted deployment and exercises” along the disputed border, and that India should “have no illusions” about its military’s capabilities or commitment. He added: “We urge the Indian side not to take any chances or hold any illusions” and that China had strengthened its capabilities in safeguarding its national sovereignty over the past 90 years. “It’s easier to shake a mountain than to shake the PLA.” he said.Wu Qian’s comments came just a week after state broadcaster CCTV reported that Chinese troops had taken part in a military exercise using live ammunition on the Tibetan Plateau.