DHARAMSHALA, July 27 � The Chinese goal is beyond Tibet and that country has border disputes not only with India, but with almost all its neighbours. This observation was made by Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, Dr Sangay pointed out that China has been trying to expand its bases after forcefully occupying Tibet and in recent times, the country �highly militarised� Tibet. He revealed that a number of military towns have been set up in Tibet, which has a long border with India, and five major military airfields have been constructed, while the sixth is under construction. He revealed that the Kongpo military airfield is just 50 kilometres from the international border in Arunachal Pradesh. Apart from the six major airfields, a number of small airfields and helipads were constructed just near the international border, he added.
In recent times, China has also made Tibet a dumping ground for nuclear waste and damaged the ecology of the area, while the erstwhile independent country is also being used by China for nuclear tests. The Chinese brought the railway lines to Lhasa and it would be possible for the country to bring in troops right up to the border with India in case of any emergency.
Dr Sangay said the move of the Chinese to expand its bases proved the country�s intention to look beyond Tibet as China established strong bases in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and even set up sea ports in Pakistan. He revealed that China is also constructing a sea port in Sri Lanka and it is evident that the Chinese are trying to gain control over the Bay of Bengal.
Replying to a question on reports of frequent incursions into Indian territory by China, the Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile pointed out that all these problems would be solved once the Tibetan issue is addressed. He pointed out that when Tibet was an independent country, there was no problem along the McMahon Line and only a handful of Indian security personnel were deployed along the border. But after China occupied Tibet, India has to spend huge sums of money every year to guard the border with China, Dr Sangay pointed out.
