China's PLA scaling up in Aksai Chin: Satellite data

India issues strong response to new China 'standard' map claiming Aksai Chin and Arunachal as its own territories

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI: An analysis of satellite imagery from Aksai Chin, a region that India has for long accused China of occupying illegally, shows the Chinese side has ramped up the construction of reinforced bunkers and underground facilities to better protect military assets from aerial or missile strikes.

The development comes at a time when Beijing has released the 2023 edition of its so-called "standard map of China" depicting Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh as part of the country's territory. The map was issued by China's natural resources ministry on Monday as part of the annual "National Surveying and Mapping Promotion Day".

A comparison of satellite images from December 2021 and August this year - provided to Hindustan Times by Maxar Technologies - shows the Chinese side has built reinforced bunkers and underground facilities at six locations within an area of roughly 15 sq km in Aksai Chin.

This area is located about 70km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and while troops were deployed in the region following the start of the standoff in May 2020, most of the land was barren and with few signs of construction activity, apart from some overground facilities to host equipment.

However, the latest images from August 2023 show considerable construction activity, including the presence of earthmoving machinery, new roads and multiple entrances for underground facilities.

Analysts believe the underground facilities are meant to protect sensitive equipment, ammunition and command posts from air or missile strikes during potential hostilities. Indian officials declined to comment for the analysis.