Beijing doesn’t fear war with India: Chinese daily

Beijing

China is battle ready and not afraid to go to war with India in an "all-out confrontation" along the entire disputed border, a Chinese daily warned on Tuesday.

A commentary in the state-run Global Times said China must deploy more troops along the winding border with India and speed up road construction in Doklam where the two sides have been engaged in a month-long standoff.

It also suggested that New Delhi triggered the dispute as it was worried over China's rapid economic rise.

The stand-off began when Indian troops stopped Chinese soldiers from building a road in Doklam, an area disputed by China and Bhutan.

"China doesn't fear going to war to safeguard sovereignty either, and will make itself ready for a long-term confrontation," said the commentary by Duo Mu.

"Within China, there are voices calling for the Indian troops to be expelled immediately while Indian public opinion is clamouring for war with China. However, the two sides need to exercise restraint and avoid the current conflict spiralling out of control."

The writer said one important reason that prompted India to trigger the border dispute was its worry over China's economic development.

"China has risen quickly to be the world's No. 2 economy. As time is on China's side, New Delhi is deeply concerned with China's rapid rise. Provocation at the border reflects India's worry and attempt to sound out China."

The commentary said China doesn't recognise the land under India's actual control as Indian territory and accused New Delhi of "poisoning" the atmosphere for border negotiations.

"China doesn't advocate and tries hard to avoid a military clash with India, but China doesn't fear going to war to safeguard sovereignty either, and will make itself ready for a long-term confrontation.