China’s Frontier Settlements: A Strategic Move with Military Implications – Defence News

In recent years, China has undertaken an extensive project to build new settlements along its frontiers, particularly in areas bordering India. These settlements, which Beijing refers to as “border guardians,” are part of a broader strategy to assert its territorial claims and enhance its security infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Over 628 such “well-off villages” have been constructed along India’s borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region, including Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The dual-use nature of these villages—designed for both civilian and military purposes—has raised significant concerns within the Indian military and strategic community.

The nature of these settlements remains somewhat ambiguous. Although they have been described as civilian dwellings, their strategic locations and infrastructure suggest a military dimension. The buildings, mostly large and spacious double-storey structures, had remained unoccupied until recently. In the past few months, Chinese nationals have begun moving into these villages. It remains unclear whether these occupants are civilians or military personnel, further adding to the complexity of the situation.

Expert View

Maj Gen (Dr) Ashok Kumar, VSM (Retd), Kargil War Veteran, Defence and Media Analyst, offers a historical perspective on China’s frontier strategy. He draws a parallel between the current developments and the construction of the Great Wall of China, which was initially built to protect the Chinese empire from external threats. “The Great Wall of China, despite its massive fortifications, provided only partial success against invaders,” Maj Gen Kumar notes. He explains that while the Great Wall was a physical barrier, China’s modern approach involves a more nuanced strategy that goes beyond mere fortifications.

“Today, China’s frontiers extend into territories that it occupies, requiring a new approach to secure these areas,” he says. Unlike the Great Wall, which symbolized physical defence, the new settlements serve multiple purposes, blending civilian life with military readiness. He points out that these “model villages” are not only populated by civilians but are equipped with infrastructure that can support military operations, making them a “deadly combination” that complicates any potential adversary’s military strategy.

He further highlights that these villages are predominantly populated by Han Chinese, with some inclusion of native populations. This demographic engineering serves to reverse the population profile in these sensitive border regions, further cementing China’s control. “This is a masterstroke of China in restructuring its security needs in sync with Sun Tzu’s philosophy of winning the war without fighting,” Maj Gen Kumar opines.

China’s strategy also includes legal measures, such as the Land Border Law, which empowers its citizens with national defence responsibilities. This law, coupled with the establishment of dual-use infrastructure, introduces a new dimension to border security that India must address with a strategic response. India has introduced its own “vibrant villages” concept as a countermeasure, but as Maj Gen Kumar suggests, a more nuanced approach is necessary to create viable gaps in China’s formidable village chain.

As tensions along the LAC continue to simmer, China’s frontier settlements are likely to play a crucial role in its long-term strategic objectives. For India, understanding and countering this complex strategy will be vital to maintaining stability and security in the region.

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