Chinese helicopters, troops and rock markings were recently found on the Indian territory bordering China. So, just what is China up to?
Though India describes them as minor incursions, but it's worried about the design and the grand plan of the Chinese behind these.
The aggressive patrolling, assertive transgressions and vituperative articles in state media aimed against India, is all part of the larger design to keep India off balance.
And China is doing that currently through a large military exercise named Stride 2009. The military exercise involves 50,000 troops, tanks and aircraft.
Beijing's intention is to practice moving divisions to the Indian border quickly, across thousands of kilometres from this far corner of China.
A Chinese general bluntly says, "The unprecedented exercise is to improve long-range projection."
In the last coupe of decades the character of the Chinese leadership has changed. After China's emergence as an economic superpower it's aiming to be a military superpower.
So gone is the maxim "Hide your capability, bide your time" and adopting an openly aggressive stand is the new mantra.
Three years ago, Chinese military laid down its goals and made them public:
- By 2010: Target and coerce regional powers like Taiwan, Vietnam and India
- By 2020: Be ready to take on Russia, Japan and Europe
- By 2050: Match US capabilities
And it seems to be working towards its target. Taiwan, with it's Beijing-friendly government, is no longer a threat; Vietnam is focusing on its economic development and wants to avoid a confrontation; but India is still seen as competition because of its economic clout and soft power.
And this brings us back to the border transgressions. New Delhi believes China isn't really that bothered about its simmering border disputes, but it's important to remember that China has settled the boundary issue with nine of its neighbours, except India.
