China passes law to strengthen border security amid ongoing tensions with India and terrorism fears

Legislation authorises use of police weapons against illegal crossers and blockades

Country shares border with 14 neighbours and is also concerned about Covid-19 crossing into China and the possible terror threat from Afghanistan

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Video footage released by China of last year’s deadly clash in the Galwan valley. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:12pm, 24 Oct 2021Updated: 9:58pm, 24 Oct 2021

China has passed a law to strengthen border security that permits the use of blockades and “police apparatus and weapons” against those who cross its borders illegally.

China has been in a protracted border stand-off with India, with both sides building up their military presence following a deadly clash in the Galwan valley in June last year.

China shares a land border with 14 countries – North Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam and India – and is also worried about the risk of terrorists crossing into Xinjiang from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and of Covid-19 spilling over from its neighbours.

The Land Borders Law, with a total of 62 clauses in seven chapters, is designed to “regulate, strengthen, protect and stabilise border security”.

It was rubber stamped by China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, on Saturday and will come into effect on January 1, 2022.

“Law enforcement officers can use police apparatus and weapons on illegal border crossers who have assaulted, resisted arrest or performed other violent moves that could endanger the safety of people or property,” the law says, adding that any drones, balloons and microlight aircraft are forbidden along borders.

“The law also stipulates that the state shall build basic facilities for the purposes of blockade, transportation, communication, monitoring, deterrence, defence and assistance when needed. The state can also build facilities for blockades on the border after negotiations with the neighbouring country.

“These basic border facilities, apart from defending the country’s sovereignty, shall support economic and social development as well protecting natural resources and the environment... and meet the needs of residents living there.”