According to a report by the US Defence Department, China’s military deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) will likely continue through 2023.
The report titled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China (PRC) mentioned that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has increased the deployment of forces and continued infrastructure build-up along the LAC.
Force Deployment Along LAC
The report mentions that the Western Theatre Command implemented a large-scale mobilisation and deployment of PLA forces along the LAC following a skirmish in June 2020 between PRC and Indian patrols in Galwan Valley.
PLA forces continue deployment at LAC: Key US Report pic.twitter.com/YDX6ver3Bu
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) October 20, 2023
Following the clash, the PLA has maintained a continuous force presence and infrastructure build-up along the LAC.
Beijing deployed one border regiment, supported by two divisions of Xinjiang and Tibet Military Districts, with four combined arms brigades (CAB) in reserve in the western sector of the LAC.
China also deployed three light-to-medium CABs in the eastern sector from other theatre commands, and an additional three CABs in the central sector of the LAC.
The report mentions that although some elements of a light CAB eventually withdrew, most of the deployed forces remained in place along the LAC.
Infrastructure Development
According to the report, China developed military infrastructure like underground storage facilities near Doklam, new roads in all three sectors of the LAC, and new villages in disputed areas in neighbouring Bhutan in 2022.
Additionally, it developed a second bridge over Pangong Lake, a dual-purpose airport near the centre sector, and multiple helipads.
Galwan Conflict
The report mentions that the Indian and Chinese forces faced clashes with rocks, batons, and clubs wrapped in barbed wire at multiple locations along the LAC in May 2020, leading to a standoff.
India accused China of conducting aggressive intrusions into Indian territory, while the PRC blamed the standoff on Indian infrastructure development that it saw as encroaching on PRC territory.
Eventually, the two sides violently clashed in Galwan Valley on 15 June 2020, leading to the death of almost 20 Indian soldiers and four PLA soldiers in the deadliest clash since the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
The two sides have held several rounds of de-escalation talks since then, with little progress.
“Negotiations between India and the PRC made minimal progress as both sides resisted losing perceived advantages on the border,” the report said.