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What is the story about?
China is planning a massive road network that will run along its land borders and coastline. The project, described by Chinese state media as the Golden Border Coast Loop, is expected to cover around 27,000 km.
China says the project will help improve roads, boost tourism and help economic activity in remote areas. However, the project has also caught India's attention. Some of the roads will pass close to areas along the India-China border, including sensitive regions such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
What is China's Golden Border?
The Golden Border is not one single road. It is a network of highways that will run along China's borders and coastline.
One of the key routes is the G219 highway, which is around 10,000 km long. It passes close to the borders of 12 countries - India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia.
China also has the G331 highway, which runs along its northern borders with Mongolia and North Korea. Another major route is the G228, which runs along China's coastline. It connects important coastal areas and industrial centres.
Why is India concerned?
India is concerned because of the location of some of these roads. India and China have a long-running border dispute. Several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are still sensitive.
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In the west, Ladakh and Aksai Chin are important areas. In the east, India closely watches Chinese infrastructure development near Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh. Better roads can make it easier for China to reach these remote areas.
The roads can be used by civilians for travel and trade. But they can also have military uses.
China could also use these roads to move troops and supplies more quickly. Border areas in the mountains are difficult to reach which makes it harder to transport soldiers, vehicles, fuel and ammunition. So, better roads could make this movement faster and easier for the People's Liberation Army.
Is China trying to encircle India?
The Golden Border project is also being discussed along with China's increasing presence in India's neighbourhood. China has been building closer ties with Pakistan and Myanmar through roads, ports and other infrastructure projects. India is keeping a close watch on these activities.
Another concern for India is China's increasing activities in the Indian Ocean.
Is it a threat to India?
The Golden Border does not mean that China is preparing for an immediate conflict with India. The main concern is that the new roads could give China better and faster access to sensitive border areas.
The same roads which are built for civilian use could be used to move soldiers, vehicles and supplies.
There is no evidence that the entire 27,000-km network is being built only for military purposes. China says the project is mainly about development, tourism and better connectivity.
China says the project will help improve roads, boost tourism and help economic activity in remote areas. However, the project has also caught India's attention. Some of the roads will pass close to areas along the India-China border, including sensitive regions such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
What is China's Golden Border?
The Golden Border is not one single road. It is a network of highways that will run along China's borders and coastline.
One of the key routes is the G219 highway, which is around 10,000 km long. It passes close to the borders of 12 countries - India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia.
China also has the G331 highway, which runs along its northern borders with Mongolia and North Korea. Another major route is the G228, which runs along China's coastline. It connects important coastal areas and industrial centres.
Why is India concerned?
India is concerned because of the location of some of these roads. India and China have a long-running border dispute. Several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are still sensitive.
ALSO READ |UAE calls for ‘realistic’ political solution to Iran conflict after fresh attacks
In the west, Ladakh and Aksai Chin are important areas. In the east, India closely watches Chinese infrastructure development near Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh. Better roads can make it easier for China to reach these remote areas.
The roads can be used by civilians for travel and trade. But they can also have military uses.
China could also use these roads to move troops and supplies more quickly. Border areas in the mountains are difficult to reach which makes it harder to transport soldiers, vehicles, fuel and ammunition. So, better roads could make this movement faster and easier for the People's Liberation Army.
Is China trying to encircle India?
The Golden Border project is also being discussed along with China's increasing presence in India's neighbourhood. China has been building closer ties with Pakistan and Myanmar through roads, ports and other infrastructure projects. India is keeping a close watch on these activities.
Another concern for India is China's increasing activities in the Indian Ocean.
Is it a threat to India?
The Golden Border does not mean that China is preparing for an immediate conflict with India. The main concern is that the new roads could give China better and faster access to sensitive border areas.
The same roads which are built for civilian use could be used to move soldiers, vehicles and supplies.
There is no evidence that the entire 27,000-km network is being built only for military purposes. China says the project is mainly about development, tourism and better connectivity.
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