China is stoking tensions to intimidate India

Chinese scholar, Zhang Xuezhong, was picked up for investigation on May 10^th and returned after 24 hours. Zhang, a law professor, who advocated constitutional reforms, was terminated from university for his activism in 2013. Last year he was stripped of his lawyer licence for backing political reforms. China has always treated critics with contempt. Zhang recently published an open letter criticizing poor governance and mishandling of Corona pandemic met with similar fate normally meted to dissidents in China. Most of the dissidents disappear indefinitely and reappear only when they pledge to remain silent¹. Zhang has been the latest victim of Chinese authoritarianism. The fatal end met by Dr. Li Wenliang for raising alarm over the infectious spread of Chinese Corona Virus (CCV) during the initial days outbreak in December is a stark reminder of Chinese government’s brutal oppression. Coercion and intimidation have to integral to Chinese style of functioning. Be it individuals or nations, China brooks no criticism and opposition.

Taiwan, the small island home to 24 million, considered a renegade province of China enjoyed the perks of subservience from 2009 to 2016 when a pro-China regime towed China’s line. During the said period, Taiwan participated in the WHO’s World Health Assembly (WHA), global health meeting as an observer state. After a pro-independent regime headed by President Tsai stormed into power, 2017, Taiwan was refused an invitation at the behest of China. While nations are grappling to control CCV, located over 120 miles from mainland China, Taiwan’s meticulous numbers of 440 infections, 372 recovered cases and 7 deaths impressed the World.

While China is facing intense global backlash for its incriminating role in covering up the CCV spread in the initial stages, Taiwan reported of the human to human infection, (ignored by WHO) and displayed a rare competency in containing the virus spread. Even as China’s opacity and belligerence riled nations, Taiwan’s model to curb the virus and its friendly overtures to nations seeking out help has won the praise of global pundits.  Taiwan’s openness and democratic functioning offered a unique template for democratic nations. Its spectacular success, has undercut the Chinese propaganda trumpeting the supremacy of autocratic governance. Taiwan’s offer of help and generous donation of superior quality masks to Canada and other European countries has instantly bolstered its global reputation. Taiwan’s burgeoning global recognition made China jittery.

Countries and especially the US which is irrevocably miffed by China is now marshalling its diplomatic heft to rally support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the upcoming truncated, virtual WHA scheduled for May 18^th. Reportedly, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote to leaders of 60 countries to reject China’s exclusion of Taiwan ². In the wake of the Corona pandemic, the chorus for inclusion of Taiwan grew louder. The Middle Kingdom insistent on the hackneyed refrain of “One China Policy” is launching scathing attacks on countries batting for extension of invitation to Taiwan as a valuable addition in the global combat against CCV.

Incontrovertible reports of WHO’s complicity in the proliferation of CCV and its concomitant spread across the globe will be one of the talking points at WHA. CCV pandemic sounded a death knell to the global economy. To safeguard nations from future health exigences and prevent its recurrence, US along with Australia, New Zealand and others are calling for an international investigation. China is defiantly opposing any investigation and by consequence any accountability.

India among other countries is batting for transparency. While Indian government has been silent on Taiwan’s inclusion, Indian media recently has ceded space to Taiwan. The Times of India, carried an interview of Taiwan’s foreign minister and The Hindu subsequently published an opinion piece by Taiwan Health Minister advocating Taiwan’s inclusion in WHA. Losing no time, Indian Counsellor Ji Rhong delivered a homily to Indian media agencies.

Besides, India is all set to chair the executive board of WHO comprising of 34 members for a period of three years on May 22^nd. South East Asia group has unanimously proposed India’s name to the position. India will also be member of administrative committee and program budget replacing Indonesia³. WHO has been one of the premier UN organisations, where China wielded absolute control. China backed the election of Tedros, the first non-medical candidate for the director-general position. His term is going to expire by 2021. As a chairperson of executive board, India can have a check on the free run of China at the WHO.

Insulating itself from the opportunistic and predatory economic diplomacy of China, India amended its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy. By imposing a blanket ban on investments by the countries that share border with India, New Delhi effectively sealed China’s free march of taking over Indian companies badly hit corona pandemic ⁴. India redoubled its efforts to lure companies exiting China by developing a land pool double the size of Luxembourg. India’s economic boom will undercut the China’s monopolistic hold over Asian continent. Aside, abetting the asymmetric, proxy warfare unleashed by Pakistan, infamous for capitalizing on a crisis.  Furthering military intelligence sharing, Pakistan Army officer from ISI has been posted in mid-March as a liaison officer with the Directorate of Chinese Military Intelligence. ISI is known to have treasure trove of information regarding Indian defence forces and China is using its vassal state to China is contemplating two front battle against India ⁹.

The showdown in Sikkim along the 3,448 km LAC on May 10^th and incursions along the Pangong Tso lake, the battle ground during the 1962 Indo-China war on May 5^th is a part of larger exercise to intimidate India. Episodic standoffs and incursions have been a regular affair and always been part of sending a message to India. Sometimes, they have a pattern to it, like the three-day long PLA incursions that coincided with President Xi’s 2014 visit to India. The site of latest confrontation, Naku La pass located at an altitude of 16,000ft witnessed hand to hand combat between the Indian and Chinese troops leaving 11 personnel injured. Both troops rushed reinforcements following the confrontations. On May 12^th a Chinese helicopter was spotted along the LAC. In response, India immediately scrambled fighter jets. Invoking the mutually established local protocols while troops have disengaged, it is no secret that China continues to encroach areas in Ladakh region.

Downplaying the events Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhoa Lijan stated, “Chinese troops have always been upholding peace and tranquillity along our border areas. China and India stay in close communication and coordination concerning our border areas within existing channels”. Indian defence spokesperson, issued a statement, “temporary and short duration face-offs between the border guarding troops do occur as boundaries are not resolved”⁸. The latest showdown coming after 2017 Dolam standoff is indicative of Chinese aggressive posturing to brow beat India.

With Communist party at helm of affairs, China intensified engagement with Nepal. Exploiting fault-lines in the Indo-Nepalese ties, China is stoking anti-India sentiments in the Himalayan nation. In the past, Nepal has been highly critical of India alleging interference in the internal affairs of the country. Amid brewing intra-party rift in Nepal, Chinese ambassador Hou Yanqui recently held meetings with senior communist party leaders to abate domestic tensions ¹¹. Nepal summoned Indian envoy protesting the inauguration of 80-km road from Dharchula in Uttarakhand to Lipulekh build along the pre-existing road used by Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims. Nepal’s protests amid China’s growing influence over its political dispensation has caused consternation in India. India has peacefully settled all outstanding border issues with neighbouring countries. But still Nepal has been obstinate¹⁰.

Close on heels, on Monday, US secretary of state gave a call to evolve a consensus over the post Covid-19 world order. The video conference attended by Quad+3 (South Korea, Brazil and Israel) foreign ministers discussed about resilience of the supply chains, stressed on accountability and transparency in combating the pandemic, prevent future crises and reaffirming the significance of the rules based international order⁶. Being part of the group that is seeking accountability China is pressurizing India, Japan and Australia to back down.

India’s swift response and humane health diplomacy is viewed favourably. A gentle nudge to ascend the economic trajectory can greatly enhance its global standing sealing its stature as the counterweight to the Middle Kingdom. China disapproves any parity with India.

Coercion is name of the game for China. Beijing is employing intimidatory tactics to browbeat nations. Having embarked on the expeditionary aggressive posturing in the South China Sea (SCS) and East China Sea, China has intensified incursions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). While countries are busy battling the Wuhan virus, China has established two administrative districts-Xisha (which covers Paracel Islands, claimed by Vietnam) and Nansha (which covers Spartly Islands, claimed by Philippines). Each district will have local government, Xisha district will have admin in Woody Island and Nansha district will administer from Fiery Cross Reef, an underground reef transformed into an artificial island through land reclamation⁵.

Beijing has also issued names to 25 reefs and 55 underwater entities to consolidate its control over SCS. On May 2^nd China Global Television Network (CGTN) claimed that Mt Everest is located in China’s Tibet autonomous region sparking a row. After a backlash from netizens, CTGN pulled out the tweet and said it is on the China-Nepal border. Similarly, two Chinese websites Tuotiao.com and Sohu.com claimed that Kyrgystan and Kazakhstan have been part of China and that Kazakhstan is eager to be part of China drawing the ire of the central Asian countries⁷. Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is fleetingly triggering nationalist fervour launching aggressive muscle flexing operations to dissuade people from harping on the domestic failures in handling the pandemic.

Around the same time of Sikkim showdown, Japan lodged protests  after Chinese ships chased Japanese fishing vessels in the Japanese waters around the Senakaku islands. Similarly, pressurizing Australia to backdown on the calls for probe into origins of the pandemic, China has imposed 80% tariffs on Australian barley exports and imposed ban on beef exports from four processing plants in Queensland and New South Wales ¹³.

In response to the rising speculations of Taiwan’s participation, the legal officer of WHO informed that the “divergent views” from the members of the UN prevents the director of WHO can’t extend invitation to Taiwan. Exculpating itself from the controversies, towing China’s line, WHO clarified that it can’t invite Taiwan ¹².

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