Chairman Xi Jinping informed President Joe Biden in late 2021 that "Aggression or hegemony is not in the blood of the Chinese nation. Since the founding of the People’s Republic, China has never started a single war or conflict, and has never taken one inch of land from other countries." However, recent events suggest otherwise, as China continues to assertively expand its territorial boundaries on land and at sea.

China is advancing its territorial ambitions by pushing into regions shared with Bhutan and India, particularly along their rugged, mountainous frontier. Similarly, China is making illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea and attempting similar actions in Japan's Senkaku Islands.

The CSIS in the USA has assessed new PLA infrastructure near the Indian border. It observed that China is currently expanding its infrastructure significantly, which is strengthening its capability to project military power along its western frontier in both Tibet and Xinjiang.

According to the CSIS report, China is building or improving numerous airports and heliports, along with constructing new roads, railways, and other infrastructure. These developments aim to enhance PLA logistics, allowing for increased transportation of troops, weapons, and supplies closer to the frontier.

The report noted that the development pace in the region increased significantly following standoffs and clashes between China and India along disputed sections of their border in 2017 and 2020. The reference to 2017 pertains to the Doklam Plateau, where PLA engineers tried to construct a road. More notably, the outbreak of violent clashes occurred in the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh in 2020.

In the challenging terrain of Tibet and Xinjiang, airports and heliports play a crucial role in transporting personnel and equipment, as well as serving as bases for reconnaissance and potential strike missions.

CSIS analysis reveals a substantial increase in airpower infrastructure along China's western frontier. Since 2017, 37 airports and heliports have been newly built or upgraded in Tibet and Xinjiang, with at least 22 identified as military or dual-use facilities. Activity accelerated notably in 2020, with China initiating construction of seven new air facilities and upgrades at seven others.

In Tibet, significant construction is underway, with all five existing dual-use airports receiving upgrades since 2017, and four new airports built near the Indian border. These include Lhuntse, Ngari-Burang, and Shigatse Tingri Airports, filling strategic gaps in PLA coverage.

Shigatse Peace Airport, closest to Doklam, has a large underground facility with multiple entrances. Additionally, the PLA is expanding helicopter-based operations with five new heliports constructed and two upgraded in Tibet. These heliports, operated by PLA Army aviation units, enhance military capabilities in the mountainous region.

In Xinjiang, 15 airports have been upgraded since 2017, with seven being military or dual-use facilities. Hotan Airport, located 240km from the Indian border, received a new runway and expanded air defense complex. Additionally, three new airports, including Tashkorgan near the border junction with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, began construction in 2019.

However, despite China's investments in the region, the PLA faces challenges compared to India. Much of China's border in Tibet and Xinjiang is situated at high elevations, with 20 airports and heliports located above 3,000m. These altitudes pose operational challenges, affecting aircraft performance and requiring longer runways. Moreover, cold and harsh weather conditions further complicate operations.

Chinese investment in Tibet and Xinjiang has significantly expanded highway and rail networks, aiding economic development and facilitating PLA supply movements. For example, new roads toward the Indian border enhance military mobility, crucial for potential conflicts like the Galwan Valley incident. The PLA's influence is evident with roads connecting strategic military locations, such as Nyingchi hosting key PLA brigades.

Xinjiang's rail network has expanded rapidly, aiding military connectivity, while Tibet faces challenges due to its rugged terrain, resulting in limited railway development. However, the high-speed railway from Lhasa to Nyingchi demonstrates efforts to overcome such obstacles, serving PLA personnel.

China's tactics, akin to "salami slicing," extend to border regions like Bhutan, where it asserts territorial claims through incremental actions. This approach undermines bilateral negotiations and has led to disputes over territories such as Doklam, impacting regional stability.

Image source: Economic Times