Beijing: Asserting that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China are "sacred and inviolable", the country's national legislature has adopted a new law on the protection and exploitation of the land border areas, which could have a bearing on Beijing's border dispute with India.
The law, which becomes operational from January 1 next year, stipulates that “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China are sacred and inviolable”, it said. The Land Borders Law will not necessarily change how border security is handled, but it reflects China's growing confidence in its capability to manage its frontiers.
The state shall take measures to safeguard territorial integrity and land boundaries and guard against and combat any act that undermines them, the report said. Chinese military and military police - the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force - are responsible for guarding the border against any "invasion, encroachment, infiltration, provocation".
The law stipulates that China can close its border if a war or other armed conflict nearby threatens border security. The state shall, following the principle of equality, mutual trust and friendly consultation, handle land border-related affairs with neighbouring countries through negotiations to properly resolve disputes and longstanding border issues, it said.
The law states that the Chinese military "shall carry out border duties", including "organising drills" and "resolutely prevent, stop and combat invasion, encroachment, provocation and other acts".
