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.

Related Posts

Stabilise The Line Of Actual Control

Posted on June 6, 2023

India denies any role in Nijjar’s killing in Canada

Posted on September 20, 2023

The Army gets a vertical wind tunnel to train special forces

Posted on October 26, 2023