China's New Border Law In Response To India And Afghanistan's Concerns

During a lengthy conflict with India, concerns about tumble effects from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and the spread of COVID-19 from Southeast Asia, China approved a bill on Saturday to tighten border protection. The new legislation, which goes into effect on January 1, requires the government and military to protect territory and oppose any actions that undermine China's territorial claims.

The rule was first introduced in March of this year, a year after tensions with India flared along the Line of Actual Control when the People's Liberation Army mobilized two divisions in advanced regions and committed repeated breaches. The law states that the People's Republic of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity is sacred and inviolable and that the state must take measures to protect territorial integrity and land boundaries, as well as guard against and battle any act that destabilizes territorial authority and land boundaries. The legislation specifies the military's, the State Council’s, and provincial governments' roles in addressing security and economic concerns in border areas. The law also states that China would deal with land border concerns with its neighbors through dialogue to effectively address disputes and long-standing border difficulties.

China's border issues with India and Bhutan are still unsolved. Observers say the new law will formalize some of China's recent actions in disputed territories with India and Bhutan, such as the PLA's massing of troops in forwarding areas along the India border, multiple contraventions across the LAC, and the construction of new frontier villages along the Bhutan border.