In a sharp criticism of China over border tensions with India, the US on Wednesday described Beijing’s actions as “disturbing behaviour” and said the skirmishes were a reminder of the threat China posed as it sought to use its power, whether in the South China Sea or on the borders with India.
Senior US official Alice Wells, the outgoing acting assistant secretary of state, told journalists that the border brawls were “a reminder that Chinese aggression is not always just rhetorical. Whether it is in the South China Sea or along the border with India, we continue to see provocations and disturbing behaviour by China that poses questions about how China seeks to use its growing power.”
“That’s why you’ve seen a rallying of like-minded nations whether it is in ASEAN or through other diplomatic groupings like the trilateral with the US, Japan and India, or the Quad — conversations globally about how we can reinforce the principles of the post-World War II global order that supported free and open trade, that raised all boats including the Chinese boat,” added Alice Wells.
Over the last weeks, reinforcement of troops across the border was conducted after reports of China pitching tents near river Galwan — a 1962 flashpoint that has seen aggression in recent days — and increasing construction activities.
Earlier this month, Indian and Chinese soldiers were involved in a face off on the banks of the high-altitude Pangong Lake in Eastern Ladakh and also in North Sikkim. Several Indian and Chinese soldiers were injured in the incident in Ladakh.
Over the last years, Washington and Beijing have been on a collision course, first over trade and currently over the coronavirus outbreak. US President Donald Trump has blamed China for the outbreak and suggested that he could even cut ties with the world’s second largest economy.
Accusing the World Health Organisation of siding with China, he has also threatened to permanently freeze the funding of the world body.
