Towns Along India-China Border Upgraded Three Years After Galwan Valley Clash

Experts believe that China’s upgrade of two sparsely populated areas in Tibet is intended to bolster its military status along the hotly contested India-China border, three years after the Galwan Valley clash that left 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese fighters dead. China has continued to bulk up its presence along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) that runs between the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and India’s state of Arunachal Pradesh. The elevation of Milin and Cuona to cities on 3 April is part of this effort. Despite their small populations, these new cities have strategic importance in light of the border dispute and demonstrate China’s claim to the territory. Indian experts believe that upgrading these frontier areas into cities is a strategic move to build China’s army’s forward defence. Furthermore, other counties claimed by China and sharing borders with Arunachal Pradesh, including Medog County, Chayu County, and Lang County, are likely to be transformed into cities, allowing the entire border region to be developed in a faster mode to further the PLA’s military operation plans.