And it is not just a creeping territorial aggression but also exercising coercive influence across the border, including imposing its anti-Dalai Lama policy on the country’s ethnic Tibetan citizens there. This encroachment, primarily involving the construction of border villages overnight, reflects China’s unprecedented strategy under President Xi Jinping’s leadership. China views the cultural and religious ties between Tibet and Nepal as a threat to stability in the region. A Chinese security guard monitors cross-border activities from tower constructed by Chinese government in Hilsa–Nepal-China border point. Meanwhile, China has built 22 villages and settlements within Bhutan’s traditional borders, including 19 villages and three small settlements.

Source: New York Times October 18, 2024 21:05 UTC