Expert: Chinese troops used Kung Fu in border scuffle

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An interview broadcast on CGTN in which an Indian expert claims Chinese troops used Kung Fu in a recent boundary scuffle has caused mirth and indignance online.

Speaking on The Point with Liu Xin, Binod Singh Ajatshatru, director of the BRICS Institute in New Delhi, initially questioned the authenticity of the footage which showed Chinese and Indian soldiers shoving each other before the Indian troops began throwing stones.

"What we can see here and what any layman can analyze, is the Chinese PLA here trying to show his Kung Fu skills by jumping from the top of the high land there," he said.

Binod Singh Ajatshatru said Chinese troops were trying to show their Kung Fu skills in the confrontation, in an interview with CGTN's The Point. /CGTN Photo

"Kung Fu comes from China, not from India," he added.

Singh then said that the scuffle broke out due to a "problem of language", adding, "The English skill of Chinese PLA is not good enough to negotiate there. I think they should train some Hindi speakers and also Indian language speakers."

The altercation happened near Pangong Lake on Monday.

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that Chinese border forces were carrying out "normal" patrols on the Chinese side of the Actual Line of Control.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's at a daily news briefing in Beijing. /Photo from www.fmprc.gov.cn

"At this time they were obstructed by Indian border forces and the Indian side took fierce actions, colliding with the Chinese personnel and having contact with their bodies, injuring the Chinese border personnel," she said.

India's Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident took place but has not given any details.

China and India have been involved in a border standoff since June 18 when Indian troops entered Chinese territory at Donglang area and attempted to prevent Chinese soldiers from constructing a road.

China has repeatedly demanded that India withdraw its troops from Chinese territory.

Chinese and Indian soldiers standing guard at the China-India border. /VCG Photo

While the seriousness of the diplomatic rift between China and India intensifies, Binod Singh Ajatshatru's comments on The Point have been met with both dismay and amusement.

"He is a drama queen. Why couldn't he be reasonable?" one user questioned on Weibo.

"It's unfair to require the Chinese PLA to speak English. Why don't your people learn to speak Chinese or English without Indian accent?" said another.