China's Five Finger Policy [UPSC Notes]

China’s five finger policy, also known as the "Five Fingers of Tibet" policy is largely attributed to Mao Zedong's speech on 15th November 1939. As per the policy, Xizang (Tibet) is the right palm of China. Moreover, according to the five fingers policy, Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Northeast Frontiers of Arunachal Pradesh as the five fingers of this palm.

China is trying to ‘liberate’ these regions to realize the dream of Mao. Although it is never officially brought up in Chinese public statements, the Five Finger Policy can be traced back to Mao's Speech. We have shared more information about this policy here.

What is the Five Finger Policy of Tibet?

The Five Finger Policy of Tibet is a policy that claims that Tibet is the rightful part of China, and along with it, Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Northeast Frontiers also belong to China. This policy has led to a series of border disputes between India and China. Chinese President Xi Jinping seems determined to fulfilling Mao's dream of liberating the "five fingers of China."

While the world was fighting the most difficult war against Coronavirus, China and India were having border standoffs. China’s five finger policy continues to affect the relationship between two of the most powerful countries in Asia, India and China.

China's Five Finger Policy - Objectives

The objective of China’s Five Finger Policy is to reclaim the portions of India and Tibet. Here are more details about the objectives of this policy.

• The Chinese Officers in Tibet claimed to liberate Ladakh, Sikkim, Bhutan, and NEFA in 1954, which according to them, was wrongfully held by Indian imperialists.
• Also, the Chinese Government published a school book named "A Brief History of Modern China" that includes a map of the "five fingers" territories as "portions of China that must be reclaimed."
• This reflects the true intentions and ambitions of the Chinese Government through the five finger policy. Later, Mao's China captured and annexed Xinjiang and Tibet, thereby making China big enough to be called the fourth largest country in the world.
• China's annexation of the resource-rich Tibet is the most significant geopolitical development in the Post-World War II era, thereby giving China common borders with India, Bhutan, Nepal, and the northernmost part of Myanmar.
• The Sino-India War in 1962 further expanded China's gain in the Ladakh territory after it had already grabbed the Aksai Chin region. China’s five finger policy continues to pose a threat to the bordering nations.

China's Five Finger Policy - Tibet's Strategic Importance

China’s five finger policy claims Tibet to be the right part of China. Tibet is a highly strategic location for China. Here’s how:

• For China, Tibet is the strategic pass that will help it strengthen its geopolitical intentions and ambitions in South Asia. Mao described Tibet as the palm of China to expand its power and influence in the rest of South Asia.
• Tibet is the starting point of Asia's ten primary river systems. This will facilitate China's rise as Hydro-hegemon by building mega-dams along the Tibetan Plateau Border. This will allow it to have leverage over the downstream countries.
• Its expansionist policies and its intentions to encircle India from different borders and realize China’s five finger policy dreams.

Five Finger Policy - Tension Between India and China

China’s Five Finger Policy has led to the recent intensification of tension between India and China. Here is how the tension is building between India and China:

• There was a clash between the soldiers of both countries in the Galwan Valley that is described as the most fatal since 1975.
• Both sides have engaged in multiple rounds of military talks to resolve the long-standing border dispute.
• Still, no solutions have been reached, with both sides hardening their claims and positions over the issue.
• Since June 2020, both sides have agreed to dialogues and disengagement in areas of tension like Gorga and Pangong Lake. Subsequent actions like China's new law on land borders are enough to keep the fear of further escalation from dying.
• Thus, China's Five Finger Policy has a history attributed to it that still continues to impact border relations with India.

FAQs on China's Five Finger Policy

Q1. What is China’s Five Finger Policy?

China’s Five Finger Policy claims that Tibet is the rightful part of China, and along with it, Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Northeast Frontiers also belong to China. The five finger policy was ideated by Mao Zedong and suggests that Tibet is the palm of China while the other mentioned regions are the five fingers.

Q2. The concept of China's Five Finger Policy is attributed to whom?

China's Five Finger Policy is attributed to the speech of Mao Zedong. On 15th November 1939, Mao made a speech, according to which Xizang (Tibet) is the right palm of China and Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Northeast Frontiers of Arunachal Pradesh are the five fingers.

Q3. Which are the Five Fingers of Tibet which led to China's Five Finger Policy?

Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Ladakh, and NEFA (Northeast Frontiers of Arunachal Pradesh) are the Five Fingers of Tibet. China's Five Finger Policy was ideated by Mao Zedong on 15th November 1939, which claimed that Tibet and the other mentioned regions are part of China.

Q4. What has been the impact of China's Five Finger Policy on Indo-China relations?

China’s Five Finger Policy has led to numerous border disputes between India and China. The 15th round of India-China LAC talks was held at the Chusul-Moldo border in March 2022, with no breakthrough being reached. However, both sides have agreed to continue the dialogue under the current scenario, pledging to maintain stability and security.

Q5. How is China’s Five Finger Policy an expansionist policy?

China’s Five Finger Policy states that Tibet is the palm of China and Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Ladakh, and NEFA (Northeast Frontiers of Arunachal Pradesh) are the Five Fingers of Tibet. This has led to China trying to claim territories that don’t belong to it.