China-India border dispute: PLA troops in Tibet seen preparing for Himalayan winter

Soldiers shown in photos and videos with thermal jackets, boots, ponchos and three-in-one sleeping mat, bag and shelter

It comes after reports Indian Army bought gear from US and Europe, and with no end in sight to the stand-off

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PLA trucks roll into an army base near Lhasa in Tibet on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:11pm, 19 Oct 2020Updated: 11:32pm, 19 Oct 2020

Chinese troops stationed on the Tibetan plateau near a tense border stand-off with Indian soldiers have been equipped with new gear to get them through the tough winter, according to images and videos posted on social media.

They appeared on the official WeChat account of the People’s Liberation Army Tibet Military Command on Sunday, after reports that the Indian Army had brought in high-altitude winter equipment from the US and elsewhere.

Thousands of troops have been facing off at the disputed border in the Himalayas near Ladakh since May, with no end to the tensions in sight. Military commanders are expected to hold an eighth round of talks on the stand-off next week.

In the photos and videos, Chinese soldiers are seen getting kitted out with thermal jackets, boots and ponchos. A three-in-one sleeping mat, sleeping bag and shelter developed by the PLA to be used at temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius and at altitudes above 5,000 metres (16,400ft) was among the gear highlighted.

A three-in-one sleeping mat, bag and shelter can be used at temperatures down to minus 40 degrees. Photo: Weibo

An article posted on the account said the Tibet Military Command, which is responsible for Ladakh, had recently carried out a check of its winter equipment to make sure soldiers were ready for the harsh conditions ahead.

It said this was not just a regular maintenance check. “It’s also to strengthen soldiers’ awareness and skills when it comes to using their equipment, and to provide the army with solid support,” the article read.