China fuming over US generals comment on border infrastructure near Ladakh

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By Choekyi Lhamo

DHARAMSHALA, June 13: A senior US army commander raised concern over Chinas infrastructure build-up near the Indo-Tibet border near Ladakh on Wednesday during his visit to India. General Charles A. Flynn said that the defense infrastructure constructed by China near the Indian border is alarming, and eye-opening.

China on Thursday accused the general of attempting to fan flames through his statements. The Chinese foreign minister spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded with strong dismissal, Some US officials have pointed fingers and sought to fan the flame and drive a wedge between the two countries. This is disgraceful. We hope the US could do more things that contribute to regional peace and stability. Zhou further said that the border issue was a matter to be solved between the two countries, Both sides have the will and capability of resolving the question through dialogue and consultation.

The Chinese embassy in New Delhi also addressed the matter by noting that the allegations against China were without any factual basis and accused the US of violating the norms of basic principles of diplomacy. The construction of a Chinese bridge, termed highly strategic by analysts, was completed on the Pangong Lakes border territory in Khurnak, which extends across Ladakh and Tibet. The Pangong Tso, a lake which is partly in Ladakh and partly in Tibet, has seen rising tension between India and China since May 2020.

The bridge was completed in the first week of April, which will now cut down a 180-km loop from Khurnak to the banks of Rutog County in Tibet, where one of the important garrisons of the Peoples Liberation Army is situated. The latest satellite images in May showed new road construction work completed by the PLA. Sources said that the road construction project is to counter any future moves made by the Indian military as it did in August 2020.

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