In tune with its aggressive statements following the Galwan face-off, China’s state-backed media Global Times said that China did not release its casualty numbers to avoid an ‘escalation’ claiming that ‘the Indian Government would come under pressure’ if it did so. The Chinese mouthpiece claimed that any speculations alleging that Chinese casualty numbers were higher than India’s were false, maintaining that its numbers were ‘less than 20’, in comparison to the casualties on the Indian side.
This summersault by Global Times, which is significant given that China hasn’t yet so much as acknowledged its casualties let along admit to a number close to 20, comes days after the media house said that they were refraining from sharing casualty numbers of Chinese troops in a bid to avoid ‘stoking public mood.’ Hu Xijin, Global Times Editor-in-Chief last week had remarked that Beijing did not want to compare casualty numbers of the two countries post the violent clashes as a sign of ‘goodwill’.
China has not released any information on the casualties suffered by the People’s Liberation Army soldiers during the violent face-off in eastern Ladakh – something that it has allegedly drawing flak over within its borders despite the administration’s authoritarianism. While at least 20 Indians soldiers were martyred, ANI, quoting Chinese cables, suggests 43 casualties including dead and injured from the Chinese side. Meanwhile, US intelligence said 35 Chinese had died, while Prasar Bharti, quoting sources, said 45 had died.
Earlier, Global Times editor Hu Xijin threatened India saying that the country “will pay a heavy price” after India gave complete authority to the Indian Armed Forces to act and react as deemed fit according to the situation on the ground. This move by the Centre gives full authority to the armed forces which means that the armed forces will no longer be bound by restrictions on the use of firearms and will respond to provocation as deemed fit if China turns hostile.
