Enough capability to defend sovereignty

Beijing prepared for any eventuality

Chu Yin [Photo/China Daily]

India's rare provocative move has a lot to do with its misjudgment about China's combat readiness and road construction in Donglang. The road construction, in fact, could solve the "last mile" dilemma facing People's Liberation Army personnel and commodity transportation near the China-India border. With the supply problem solved, the PLA's border troops will become more competent, which New Delhi fears would threaten its illegal control of Southern Tibet, historically a Chinese territory.

The PLA's ongoing structural reform, aimed at upgrading combat skills and streamlining management, might have been misread by India.

New Delhi probably also assumed Beijing would refrain from using force three months before the ninth BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, and at a time when it is proceeding with the Belt and Road programs at full speed. India's latest arms deal with the United States－the purchase of US unarmed drones－along with other weapon imports, might also have made it feel confident of sustaining the transgression.

But such assumptions are meaningless given the tough, unequivocal responses from China's defense and foreign affairs officials. Last month the PLA conducted a live-fire assault drill on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to highlight its troops' improved combat capability at an altitude of 5,000 meters. So hosting a crucial diplomatic event, which India is scheduled to attend, does not mean China will concede even an inch of its territory.

Rather, Beijing is well positioned to defend its sovereign interests if a border combat becomes inevitable. The new Type-96 main battle tanks, which reportedly took part in the plateau drill, have strong firepower, advanced armor and good mobility. The commissioning of cutting-edge weaponry, from J-20 stealth fighters and DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles to the two aircraft carriers, should adequately prepare China for any eventuality.

More important, all Chinese weapons are backed by a complete national defense system that is capable of independently manufacturing and maintaining weaponry. Chinese troops, thanks to their systematic and up-to-date training, are suitable for modern combats, whereas India has a less impressive record of developing its own weapons. In other words, although dialogue remains a priority in China's approach to border issues, India's trespassing move risks backfiring if it refuses to reconcile.

Chu Yin, an associate professor at the University of International Relations, and a research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization