China pulls 10,000 troops from India border, source says

Beijing sees little prospect of a conflict in the Himalayan area over winter, according to source close to Chinese military

Some soldiers returned to barracks after a year of duty but ‘could be redeployed within a week’

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Chinese border soldiers on patrol in Ali prefecture in Tibet. Photo: PLA Daily

Published: 6:00pm, 12 Jan 2021Updated: 11:38pm, 12 Jan 2021

China has withdrawn 10,000 troops from its disputed border with India in recent weeks, with Beijing calculating a slim chance of conflict in the Himalayan region this winter, according to sources and reports.

“The withdrawal started more than two weeks ago. All the troops were pulled back in military vehicles, so the Indian side could see it,” a source close to the Chinese military told the South China Morning Post on condition of anonymity.

“Some of the 10,000 troops are due to return from the high altitudes after more than a year of duty, which is part of scheduled rotations.

“The Central Military Commission is sure now that it’s impossible for both sides to fight in such extremely cold weather in the Himalayas.”

The source said the withdrawal mainly involved troops temporarily deployed from units in the Xinjiang and Tibet military regions.

“They returned to their home barracks for a rest, but all 10,000 troops could return to the front line within a week, by rail, military vehicles, or even aircraft,” the source said.

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