October 5, 2007
China's Border with India is Quietest in Years: Chinese Experts
Beijing
China has signed land border treaties with 12 of its 14 neighbors,
with most of the border disputes settled - and is currently
negotiating with India and Bhutan to resolve boundary issues.
"China now shares the most peaceful borders with its neighbors since
the republic was established in 1949," says Teng Jianqun, deputy
secretary-general of the China Arms Control and Disarmament
Association.
China's southwest boundary with India is friendlier than it ever
was. From busy passes to lonely check posts high in the Himalayas,
Chinese personnel are engaged in improving their relations with
border guards on the Indian side.
China and India fought over the border in 1962 and the mutual
hostility affected bilateral relations for decades until the end of
the 20th Century.
The year 2000 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic ties between China and India, which helped to resume
military ties.
In June 2006, the Nathu La pass, a century-old trading post that
sits at 4,545 metres above sea level between Tibet in China and
Sikkim in India, was reopened after being closed for 40 years.
Jin Guangyong, a soldier at a check post along the boundary, says
Indian soldiers often shout "hello" to greet Chinese soldiers.
Isolated by snow for eight months a year, the two check posts
separated by a canyon, are the only signs of human habitation,
clinging to the black and bare mountain.
"I can feel their loneliness, since we also suffer. We respond to
their greetings. Even the guard dogs bark at each other," Jin says.
But, Major Ai Huaichun remembers a fight when troops from the two
sides confronted each other a decade ago.
"In the 1990s, meetings usually ended in arguments that solved
nothing. The two parties would argue for hours whether a soldier had
trespassed or not," says Ai, who served as an interpreter at joint
meetings for 11 years.
"Now, border meetings have become more friendly. And the two sides
reflect on progress of the Sino-Indian relations and plan for
further exchanges," Ai said.
"Now, if problems like trespassing come to the table, both sides
amicably try to settle the issue."
Regular meetings have resulted in the successful repatriation of
soldiers who became lost and strayed over the border in 2003 and
2006.
"The meetings have enabled both sides to exchange information
promptly and resolve problems, which helped to maintain peace and
stability," says Colonel Zhang Weiguo, head of the Chinese
delegation who participated at a meeting with the Indian border
troops in May this year.
"A peaceful border is part of any promising relationship between two
armies and two countries, and provides opportunities for increasing
mutual respect and trust," says Jiang Yi, a research fellow at the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
China saw three major military conflicts along its borders between
1950-70. "Since 1980s, no major border clashes occurred and troops
have gradually expanded exchanges with each other," says Teng of the
disarmament association.
He considers changes in the international environment, particularly
the demise of the Cold War mentality, as a key factor in better
border relations.
"The whole international understanding has changed since the end of
the cold war. A country is no longer judged as a friend or an enemy
vis-à-vis their political set up. This has helped China to rebuild
relations with its neighbors," he says.
Thus, on the winding river of Heilongjiang on the northeast border
with Russia, Chinese soldiers ride in blue patrol boats, passing
Russian houses on the opposite bank so quickly that they soon appear
like matchboxes.
There are no bridges on the Heilongjiang River and boats are used to
cross the river. When the river is frozen in winter, vehicles can
cross.
All this was unimaginable when relations between the two nations
were strained.
"The border was once marked with barbed wire and dotted with
blockhouses. Cannons were positioned against each other. The river
was a forbidden zone, and any approaches could have seen a flare up
in the bitter bilateral relations," says Col. Jia Lun, of the
People's Liberation Army regiment, stationed in Mohe County on the
southern bank.
This border is no longer a "sensitive" area, and sentry posts and
lookout points are fewer, Jia says. Similar changes have taken place
along the China's 22,000-km land border.
In 1996 and 1997, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan signed agreements on disarmament and for building trust.
"These joint endeavors have improved security along the China's
7,000 km border with four countries," says a spokesman of China's
Foreign Ministry.
The agreements also helped to lay the groundwork for the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) founded in 2001, which has brought
closer cooperation between the countries.
In Oct 2004, the two sides have signed an agreement for setting a
deadline to complete the demarcation of the eastern boundary by the
end of 2007.
Troops across the boundary have been organizing joint news
briefings, joint patrolling, get-togethers and even basketball
matches.
"The meetings allow us to meet face to face, though we also have a
direct telephone connection to communicate with each other," Song
says.
Boloji.com is owned and managed by Boloji Media Inc Privacy Policy |
Disclaimer
No part of this Internet site may
be reproduced without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
