CHINA increased the deployment of forces and continued infrastructure build-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2022 amid border tensions with India, a Pentagon report has said.
For more than three years, Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in confrontation in certain points along eastern Ladakh; both countries completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
A report by the US Department of Defence this month outlined how in 2022, China continued to develop military infrastructure along the LAC.
“These improvements include 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 over Pangong Lake, a dual-purpose airport near the centre sector, and multiple helipads,” said the 2023 report, titled ‘Military and Security Developments involving the People’s Republic of China’ 2023.
China also 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 in 2022.
“China also deployed as many as three light-to-medium CABs in the eastern sector from other theatre 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,” the report said.
The report also said that China has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads and will probably have over 1,000 by 2030.
