China to strengthen patrolling of Doklam

China’s armed forces will strengthen patrolling and defence of Doklam area on the border where Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a face-off for over two months, a military spokesperson said on Thursday.

China’s military has paid close attention to the situation and taken “emergency measures” to reinforce border controls since the Dong Lang or Doklam incident occurred, Xinhua news agency quoted Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, as saying. China's military has paid close attention to the situation and taken emergency measures to reinforce border controls since the Dong Lang or Doklam incident occurred

–Ren Guoqiang Chinese spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence

“Chinese troops resolutely maintain the country’s territorial sovereignty and legitimate rights,” he told the media, adding they have also used military diplomacy and border contact channels to promote the proper resolution of the border row.

India sent troops into the area in June to stop work on the road in the remote, uninhabited territory. New Delhi said at the time that the road would alter the status quo and pose a serious security threat. Both sides have not offered details of the terms of disengagement from the area. On Wednesday, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said India should learn its lesson from the standoff and prevent similar incidents in future.

The stand-off ended just ahead of a weekend summit in China of BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the meet in Xiamen. –IANS