China has made the latest diplomatic claim in a border standoff that began in mid-June when the Indian military trespassed into Chinese territory to block Chinese construction workers' access to the area for road repairs.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a press conference on Thursday that China notified India twice, to no response from the Indian side, before commencing the work in the Donglang area.
Two days after the construction began on June 16, "about 270 Indian soldiers, with two bulldozers, crossed more than 100 meters into China and obstructed road construction in China’s own territory," according to Geng.
Geng said the work was for the convenience of local residents, improving transportation and giving troops easier access for border patrols.
India, however, maintains that China's actions have serious security implications.
The Donglang area is located on the Chinese side of the boundary delimited by the 1890 Convention Between Great Britain and China Relating to Sikkim and Tibet.
Geng said India's trespass into Chinese territory without any communication with China and its refusal to withdraw was "irresponsible" and "reckless."
"It has already been more than a month since the incident, and India is still not only illegally remaining on Chinese territory, it is also repairing roads in the rear, stocking up supplies, massing a large number of armed personnel," said the spokesman. "This is certainly not for peace."
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a dossier on Wednesday to explain its stance on the border dispute.
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