China's New Land Boundary Law [UPSC Notes]

China's new land boundary law was enacted on 23rd October 2021 and came into effect on 1st January 2022. This law was passed to safeguard and utilise the nation’s land border territories. China’s new land boundary law was introduced at the time when the border standoff in eastern Ladakh was continuing.

China has recently also renamed various sites in Arunachal Pradesh as part of its claim to the Indian state. In this article, we have shared further information about China’s new land boundary law, and what it could mean for India and its other neighbouring countries.

What is China's New Land Boundary Law?

Passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's new land boundary law aims to safeguard and utilize the nation's land border territories. Here are some details about the law:

• China’s new land boundary law directs the country to improve border defence, aid social and economic growth, open up borders, and promote public services and infrastructure.
• It also aims to support and encourage people's lives and work.
• China’s new land border law also aims to make border defence lines and socio-economic development partnerships easier.

China’s New Land Boundary Law - Details

In accordance with China’s new land boundary law, the legislation specifies that the state must adhere to the principles of equality and mutual trust. However, China’s new land boundary law also enlists four special circumstances to take emergency actions in. It also restricts the installation of permanent infrastructure near the border without China's authorization.

Development:

• China's new land boundary law encourages the development of civilian towns along the border.
• In dealing with land border disputes with adjacent countries, the legislation also requires the state to adhere to the concepts of justice and courteous dialogue.
• The emphasis of China’s new land boundary law is on resolving disagreements and long-standing border problems.

Special Circumstances:

• China's new land boundary law specifies four instances in which the government may take emergency measures, including border closure.
• The law prohibits any action on the border that may "endanger national security or harm China's friendly relations with neighbouring countries."
• Border infrastructure must also be safeguarded and protected by citizens and local organizations.
• Finally, the legislation requires the border to be locked in the event of war, armed conflict, or other security threats.

China's New Land Boundary Law - Relations with India

Experts believe that China's new land boundary law is aimed at bolstering the PLA's role in advancing China's 1959 LAC by granting extra border defence. China is still constructing border infrastructure and illegal settlements along the border. Here is further information about China’s new land boundary law and how it could impact China’s relations with India.

• China and India have a 3,488-kilometer land border that is still disputed. These countries are trying to de-escalate after a long standoff along the LAC.
• The two countries' front-line soldiers were removed from the northern and southern shores of Pangong Lake, as well as Gogra, but they were unable to withdraw troops from other hotspots.
• China’s new land boundary law can be viewed as a well-thought move to occupy more territory from Indian land.

Indo-China Discussion on China’s New Land Boundary Law

China's New Land Boundary Law, adopted on 23rd October 2021, went into force on 1st January 2022. This comes at a time when the eastern border standoff between China and Ladakh remains unsolved, and China has changed the names of several sites in Arunachal Pradesh to bolster its claim to the Indian state.

• The 13th round of talks between India's and China's senior military officers ended on 10th October 2021.
• China refused to accept the Indian side's suggestions for easing the military standoff between the two countries.
• It has also shown no willingness to de-escalate the border crisis.
• Amid the ongoing crisis, China’s new land boundary law has also come into force.
• The Indian side expects China to work with it to find a satisfactory solution to the situation's obstacles, allowing bilateral relations to progress.

FAQs on China's New Land Boundary Law

Q1. What is China's new land boundary law?

China's new land boundary law mandates the state to follow the ideals of fairness, mutual trust, and courteous communication while coping with land border disputes with neighbouring countries. It also emphasises the need to negotiate peacefully to resolve disagreements and long-standing border conflicts.

Q2. Why was China's new land boundary law passed?

China's new land boundary law was passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee to safeguard and utilize the nation's land border territories. The law also encourages the state to maintain fairness and negotiation over matters of border disputes.

Q3. When was China's new land boundary law passed?

China's new land boundary law was passed on 23rd October 2021 and went into effect on 1st January 2022. China passed its new land boundary law amid the ongoing tension between China’s and India’s troops on the borders.

Q4. How can China's new land boundary law affect the Indo-China relationship?

As India and China are still going through disputes on the borders, China's new land boundary law can aggravate the situation further. The new land boundary law by China defines four scenarios in which the state may take emergency measures, including border closure.

Q5. What does China's new land boundary law prohibit?

China's new land boundary law prohibits any action on the border that may "endanger national security or harm China's friendly relations with neighbouring countries." The new land boundary law by China also encourages the use of dialogue and mutual respect to tackle border disputes.