The comments, made by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang during a regular press briefing Tuesday, come amid what has become an increasingly bitter and entrenched border dispute between the two nations.
The stand-off, now entering into its fifth week, centers on a thin strip of land in the tri-junction with Bhutan. Though not a part of Indian territory, the area is close to the 'chicken's neck,' a strategic corridor that serves as a vital artery between Delhi and its far northeastern states.
The dispute appears to have escalated in recent days, say analysts, with both Beijing and Delhi looking to consolidate their positions. On Monday, China conducted live-fire drills in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau close to the site of the current stand-off. The aim of the drills, according to reports in Chinese state media, was to improve troops' "combat capability in similar locations."
An increasingly bellicose domestic media environment has further added to the sense of intractability surrounding the dispute, with press reports from both sides calling on leaders to protect the "sovereignty" and "honor" of their respective nations.
A widely circulated op-ed published by the Chinese tabloid the Global Times Tuesday, urged India to back down or "face the consequence of an all-out confrontation."
The commentary repeated unconfirmed reports in the Indian press that Indian troops are now stationed at the border area and have set up logistical support. "In response, China must continue strengthening border construction and speed up troop deployment and construction in the Doklam area," said the op-ed.
The Doklam dispute is the latest in a long-running series of territorial flare-ups between India and China. In 1962, the two countries engaged in a bloody border war and skirmishes have continued to break out sporadically in the decades since.
"I'm not sure how this situation de-escalates, not just because of the media hype on both sides, but also because China may not have an interest in de-escalating," said Yvonne Chiu, Assistant Professor at the Department of Politics at the University of Hong Kong.
"Unlike flashpoints in the South and East China Seas, a small conflict with India can be better contained because it is less likely to draw the involvement of other major powers in the region (such as the US)," added Chiu.
The conflict, if contained, could potentially serve several useful purposes, said Chiu, including "better establishing one of its regional territorial claims, giving its domestic audience something to cheer for, and giving its military some practice."
The dispute began on June 16, when China accused Indian border guards in the northeastern state of Sikkim of crossing into its territory in southwestern Tibet, in an attempt to obstruct the construction of a new mountain road. India has not denied its troops were present in the area. According to a statement released by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indian personnel "approached the Chinese construction party and urged them to desist from changing the status quo."
This was followed by a formal compliant, or demarche, issued by the Bhutanese government that accused China of constructing a road "inside Bhutanese territory" in "direct violation" of its territorial treaty obligations.
India and Bhutan have maintained historically strong relations. Bhutan co-operates closely with India in determining its foreign policy, and the Indian Army is involved in the training of its armed forces.
China, which does not have formal diplomatic ties with Bhutan, has repeatedly denied that it has violated any treaties and has called India's involvement in the issue "utterly unjustifiable." (ontinueReading
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