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China’s new law on LAC actions
News
China’s legislature has adopted a new border law, to take effect on January 1, that calls on the state and military to safeguard the territory and “combat any acts” that undermine China’s territorial claims.
About
- The new legislation declares the People's Republic of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity sacrosanct and inviolable.
- According to the legislation, the state should take efforts to protect the territorial integrity and land borders, as well as to prevent and resist any act undermining territorial sovereignty and land borders.
- The legislation establishes the military's, the State Council or Cabinet's, and provincial governments' varied duties for border security and economic concerns.
- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is tasked with "border tasks," which include "organising drills" and "resolutely preventing, stopping, and combating invasion, incursion, provocation, and other activities.
- As per the Law, the state should take efforts to bolster border defence, promote economic and social growth in border areas, enhance public services and infrastructure in such areas, and encourage and support people's lives and work there.
- The state must manage land border matters with adjacent nations through agreements to settle disputes and long-standing border concerns in accordance with the principles of equality, mutual trust, and friendly dialogue.
Consequences of new Law
- The new law would formalise a number of China's previous measures in contested areas with India and Bhutan.
- The law's passage coincides with increased Chinese activity along the country's land boundaries, which mirrors moves in the East and South China Seas.
- This includes the PLA's massing of soldiers in forward regions along the India-Pakistan border, as well as many violations of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- China has been bolstering border infrastructure in recent years, including the creation of air, rail, and road networks.