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An Indian army convoy travels along the Srinagar-Ladakh highway at Gagangeer in Kashmir. China and India remain locked in a stand-off on their disputed border. Photo: AP

China-India border dispute: ‘at least one Chinese soldier killed’ in June brawl

  • Editor of nationalist tabloid Global Times claims China’s death toll was ‘far smaller than India’s’
  • It’s the first time state media has acknowledged any casualties in the incident, while Beijing has declined to say how many troops died

At least one Chinese soldier was killed in a deadly border clash with Indian troops three months ago, according to state media, the first time it has acknowledged any casualties in the incident.

The violent brawl in the Galwan Valley on June 15 was the worst clash between China and India in decades – it left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead, and the two sides remain locked in a military stand-off in the disputed Himalayan region.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of nationalist tabloid Global Times, wrote in a Weibo post on Thursday that: “Certain of our soldiers fought until the last breath … let’s pay tribute to the soul of the martyr.”

The newspaper, which is published by Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily, also ran a report on the soldier quoting Hu.

But he did not say how many Chinese had died in the bloody brawl in which troops fought with clubs and stones. Many of the Indian soldiers were said to have died from their injuries because they could not get treatment in time in the remote, high-altitude location.

02:04

New video shows clash between Indian and Chinese troops on border

New video shows clash between Indian and Chinese troops on border

“China’s death toll is far smaller than India’s … but of course, even just one deceased is a great loss,” Hu wrote.

China’s defence ministry and foreign ministry have both previously confirmed that there were casualties on the Chinese side but have declined to say how many.

The China-India border dispute: its origins and impact

Hu also said the People’s Liberation had suffered damage and losses at the beginning of the clash because they were outnumbered in a surprise attack, but he claimed that “not a single soldier was captured”. He said when reinforcements arrived, they fought back and captured Indian troops.

Hu noted that many of the PLA’s frontline border troops were in their 20s or younger.

02:53

China-India border dispute: China frees detained Indians after sides agree to ‘quickly disengage’

China-India border dispute: China frees detained Indians after sides agree to ‘quickly disengage’

As the stand-off continues, Chinese border troops have reportedly been playing Punjabi songs from India on loudspeakers in the Pangong Lake area between Indian-controlled Ladakh and Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin.

Similarly, the PLA also played Bollywood songs on loudspeakers before the two countries fought a brief border war in 1962.

The Chinese tactic could be an attempt to distract the Indian troops and to show that they have an understanding of the country’s language and culture, according to an India Today report on Thursday.

But the Global Times, in a separate report, said the idea of playing music familiar to the adversary was taken from the decisive Battle of Gaixia in 202BC China, and was an effort to demoralise.

The famous battle between Han and Chu forces saw Han troops “ambush from 10 sides” to surround the Chu camps, and they then sang “Chu songs from four sides” to break the spirit of the Chu and eventually claim victory.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: ‘At least one PLA soldier killed’ in border fight
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