China Makes Fresh Claim On Galwan Valley, Says Its Troops Have Been 'Patrolling' In The Region For 'Many Years'

Amid rising tensions between India and China over the clashes at the Galwan valley along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Beijing on Friday (19 June) claimed that the Galwan valley falls on the "Chinese side of the LAC" and that its troops have been "patrolling" the region for "many years".

India on Thursday (18 June) had rubbished a similar claim made by PLA on the region.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava had dismissed the PLA's claim over Galwan valley as "exaggerated and untenable".

The fresh claim was made in a so-called "step-by-step account of the Galwan Valley Incident" by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian that was posted on Chinese Embassy in India website.

"Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the west section of the China-India boundary. For many years, the Chinese border troops have been patrolling and on duty in this region," said the alleged "step-by-step account" by Lijian.

Lijian claimed that the Indian troops crossed the LAC at night and "trespassed into China's territory" on 6 May, and then "built fortification and barricades, which impeded the patrol of Chinese border troops".

"They deliberately made provocations in an attempt to unilaterally change the status quo of control and management. The Chinese border troops have been forced to take necessary measures to respond to the situation on the ground and strengthen management and control in the border areas," Zhao further claimed.

Zhao said that a commander-level meeting was held on 6 June between both sides and a consensus was reached on easing the situation. He claimed the Indian side "promised that they would not cross the estuary of the Galwan river to patrol and build facilities" and the two sides would discuss and decide "phased withdrawal of troops".

Claiming that Indian troops On 15 June violated the agreement reached upon 6 June and “once again crossed the Line of Actual Control for deliberate provocation…and even violently attacked the Chinese officers and soldiers who went there for negotiation, thus triggering fierce physical conflicts and causing casualties”.

He further went on to repeat the various accusations, levelled by the Chinese side in recent days, regarding the violation of agreements.