Netizens commemorate Galwan Valley martyrs, warn India of clashes
On the first anniversary of the Galwan Valley clash, Chinese netizens honored and expressed gratefulness to the Chinese frontier soldiers and officers who had sacrificed their lives in the deadly military clash for defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, while warning the Indian government not to attempt to provoke fresh conflicts along the border as the South Asian country suffers from the epidemic.
Videos and photos of how Chinese soldiers engaged and fought the Indian military over their illegal trespass in the Galwan Valley Line of Actual Control were re- circulated on Chinese social media on Tuesday, touching the hearts of netizens.
“Chinese people and history will never forget these heroes. No words can express our deepest respect,” a Chinese netizen wrote on Sina Weibo.
Qi Fabao, the regimental commander from the People’s Liberation Army Xinjiang Military Command, was awarded by the Central Military Commission the title of “Hero Regimental Commander for Defending the Border” and honored with the July 1 Medal by the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Chen Hongjun, one of the four martyrs, was awarded by the Central Military Commission the title “Hero to Defend the Dorder,” and three other martyrs – Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan and Wang Zhuoran – were awarded first- class merit.
Although one year has passed, India did not learn its lesson and continue to build up its military in an attempt to provoke another border conflict, Chinese experts said.
Observers saw India’s actions as a hopeless attempt to divert Indain people’s attention from their government’s failure to cope with the epidemic, which would result in unbearable consequences for India.
The Indian people will be put into an overwhelming battle against the deadly disease in the face of a out- of- control outbreak that has killed tens of thousands, said Zhao Gancheng, director of the Center for Asia- Pacific Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies.
With oxygen bottles in short supply and a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, diverting attention to a border clash would only worsen the situation, experts noted.
It will further lead to a serious economic recession and a gloomier economic prospect if the Modi administration continues to ignore the virus spread, Zhao told the Global Times on Tuesday.