Chinese media: some individual perceptions on DBO sector stalemate

Contrary to the Indian media flaring up DBO sector border stalemate between India and China since 15^th of last month, the Chinese media has exercised restrain and caution so far. Even if there are some reports, these are in the form of reporting the coverage of the incident in the Indian print and electronic media, albeit have often substantiated these with the statements emanating from MOFA spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, such as ‘the Chinese troops have not crossed a step in the LCA’; ‘both sides are negotiating peaceful settlement of the issue’; and the latest statement of her on April 2, 2013 that ‘we believe, both India and China has the wisdom and ability to handle the differences between the two while developing friendly and cooperative relations.’ In yesterday’s statement she also called on the media to “give more time and be more patient,” and that “the issue will be properly resolved soon through negotiation.”

However, of late some jingoistic and hawkish voices have started to find their echoes in the media that is primarily for domestic consumption. On May 2, the People’s daily owned Global Times published an editorial and warned that the “Indian media and opposition politicians have been reporting that Chinese soldiers intruded on Indian-claimed territory and erected tents inside Indian borders,” the editorial accused the Indian government of  ambiguity on the issues and asked for an explanation. It said, “The Indian government ought to clarify the so-called “intrusion” in a timely way and assume the responsibility of maintaining a good atmosphere. However, it hasn’t done so. It has remained silent and ambiguous, which indulges Indian media habits.”  

On May 1, Zhang Xiaodong, a professor with the government owned Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences wrote an article entitled “dragon and Elephant games: China should be confident while dealing with the border dispute” in the official web site of  Huanqiu Shibao (Global Times) in Chinese. Prof. Zhang made four assumptions. One, he said China must appropriately ‘hammer’ /admonish (qiaoda) India, for it has been supporting the Tibetan independence for long, have been cooperating with Vietnam in petroleum development, and would like to enter South China Sea to contain China; also it has been making great fuss about the ‘string of Pearls’ strategy of China in the Indian Ocean. This has harmed the Chinese interests, therefore, China need to teach India lessons by creating tensions on the land, and if we move a step forward, we can force India’s retreat to inner line of defense strategically; preventive and possible containment of India would be advantageous to China’s diplomacy. Secondly he said, in all probability, India would eat a humble pie (chibie), for China has been in dominating position. India has already said that the issue will not impact on the overall development of the India-China relation. Thirdly, China should exhibit confidence in dealing with the dispute. Finally, in the long run, the geopolitical game between India and China would continue, and China has many cards up in its sleeve as far as the dispute in southern Tibet (read Arunachal) and competition in Indian Ocean is concerned, for example controlling the water resources of South Asia, strengthening China’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean, and strengthening China’s relations with the South Asian countries, and contain India both on the land and sea. Prof. Zhang also says that the comprehensive national strength and a strong military are the ultimate amours and chips of the foreign policy.

There is another article by Hu Zhiyong, a professor in the same Academy. He however, calls for a better management of the border issue. Prof. Hu says that after the 1962 war, Debsung valley has been under China’s control.  According to Prof. Hu presently India has deployed 45 battalions of police force along the border areas, besides 4 battalions are in the midst of organization. India plans to add 9 more battalions by 2015.   Hu says that 15 rounds of talks on border have been inconclusive, for there are huge differences as far as perceptions are concerned; this demonstrates that the issue is complex with long range characteristics. Both sides must put efforts to manage and handle the border and Tibet issue appropriately and strive for a just and reasonable solution so that these issues do not become a hindrance in the development of India-China relations.