China Constructing Model Villages
Context:
Along the LAC, other Xiaokang villages are being built, including one in the Chumbi valley that faces the strategically significant Siliguri corridor.
Points to Ponder:
- In the Middle East and Eastern sectors, China is enlarging its network of model villages, or Xiaokang villages, across from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- These communities are being built by the Chinese quickly; it has been said that 300–400 homes can be built in about 90–100 days.
- In the Middle Sector, new posts are being built about six to seven km from the LAC.
- In some places, patrolling has become much more frequent.
- As opposed to once every season earlier, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) patrols are now being spotted every 15 days.
- Mana, Neeti, and Thangla region residents have reported seeing small patrols.
- Northwest of Tholing, building of a potential border settlement hamlet and a neighbouring military base have both been seen.
- Two villages in the Cuna country, opposite the Kameng region in Arunachal Pradesh, have been constructed to house 200 members of the Menba ethnic group.
- Next to one of the communities is a military installation with multi-story buildings, perimeter walls, CCTVs, and watch towers.
- A sizable number of Xiaokang villages are also being built by China along the whole LAC, especially in the Chumbi valley, which faces the strategically vital Siliguri corridor.
- India has made significant strides in the development of its infrastructure, almost catching up to China in the Middle Sector.
- High-tech equipment is being introduced in the forward zones thanks to agreements the Indian Army has inked.
- Snow scooters, laser dazzlers, next-generation sniper weapons and autonomous cars that replace animal transportation are examples of modern technology.
- The PLA has stepped up its aggression along the LAC since the standoff with China in eastern Ladakh began in April 2020.
- Chinese violations in the Middle Sector have increased, which suggests that there are more PLA personnel present.
- Western (Ladakh), Middle (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), and Eastern (Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh) are the three divisions of the LAC.
- The Middle sector of the LAC has witnessed the deployment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or helicopter drone by the PLA.
- A high-altitude UAV being developed by China for use along the border with India was previously announced.
- The AR-500C UAV, which can fly at great heights and has a maximum takeoff weight of 500 kg, is intended for surveillance.
