China passes new land border law amid military standoff with India

China’s national legislature on Saturday adopted a new law on the protection and exploitation of the land border areas. The law, which becomes operational from January 1 next year could have bearing on Beijing’s border dispute with India.

The law states that ‘the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China are sacred and inviolable’.

It also stipulates the state shall, following the principle of equality, mutual trust and friendly consultation, handle land border-related affairs with neighbouring countries through negotiations to properly resolve disputes and longstanding border issues.

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The law further states that the Chinese military ‘shall carry out border duties’ including ‘organising drills’ and ‘resolutely prevent, stop and combat invasion, encroachment, provocation and other acts’.

A significant aspect of the new law includes state support for the construction of border towns, improving their functioning.

India and Bhutan are the two countries with which China is yet to finalise the border agreements, while Beijing resolved the boundary disputes with 12 other neighbours.