China Creates New County In Xinjiang Near PoK And Afghanistan Border

Beijing: China has decided to create a new county in its Xinjiang region. This area falls very close to the border of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Afghanistan. After this news, once again the discussion on the strategic importance of this entire area has intensified.

Why is this area considered so special?

This new county has been created around the place where China's borders meet Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor and PoK. This area may be remote and inaccessible, but its importance on the map is very great. Due to the close proximity of three different areas, it becomes easy to keep a close eye on every activity here.

Why did China take this step?

China says that this is a purely administrative and security decision. Its objective is to strengthen surveillance on the border and manage the area in a better way. Beijing has long considered this entire region sensitive. He fears that some kind of illegal movement or instability may arise from the border areas.

Is there only security reason behind this?

The ground reality is also that Xinjiang has already been a very sensitive area for China. Here, China has been continuously increasing strictness regarding security, surveillance and administration. This new county is also being considered as another step in the same direction, so that the hold on the border can be further strengthened.

Why has India expressed concern over this?

India has in the past also raised questions on such decisions of China, especially when they are taken in the border areas. Such administrative changes often give rise to new debates regarding regional balance and border disputes.

What is the meaning of this going forward?

China wants to further strengthen its western border. But at the same time it is also believed that such steps may further increase the already existing tension in the area. This area is already very sensitive, so every change happening here affects not only the local but also the international level.

Overall, China is showing its strong presence on the border, while India is clearly saying that such steps cannot change the reality.