China reissues safety warning to its citizens in India amid border row

China’s embassy in India has issued a second warning to its citizens in two months to be aware of their personal safety amid heightened tensions between the two nations over a border dispute.

The latest warning was posted on the embassy’s website on Thursday.

“The Chinese embassy in India would like to remind Chinese citizens who are already in, or planning to come to India, to keep a close eye on local security situations, raise awareness of self protection, strengthen protection measures, reduce outdoor activities and be aware of personal and property safety,” it said.

“[Chinese citizens] should also alert their family and friends and keep in close communication with them when they travel,” the statement added.

The same message was posted by the Chinese embassy on July 7 after a stand-off began between Chinese and Indian troops in a disputed border area in the Doklam plateau in the Himalayas near Bhutan.

The latest embassy statement also warned Chinese citizens to check the expiry dates on their travel documents and be aware of other potential dangers including traffic accidents and the spread of infectious disease in India.

More than 170,000 Chinese people travel to India each year.

The latest embassy alert will be in effect until the end of 2017. The previous notice was in force for one month.

Tensions further escalated in the border area last week after Indian and Chinese soldiers hurled rocks at each other.

The incident, which was reported to have lasted for about 30 minutes, was the first physical confrontation between the two sides.

The stand-off began when China started building a road in June in a contested border area under its control.

The two countries have blamed each other for escalating tensions and called on troops to withdraw.