New Delhi: China has strengthened bunkers and underground facilities in Aksai Chin to better protect them from aerial strikes, Hindustan Times has reported, analysing satellite imagery over time.The constructions are at a location about 70km from the Line of Actual Control or LAC, the report says.The news outlet had reported after studying satellite imagery in May that China had built new runways, ramped up jet protection shelters and built new buildings for support and military operations. All this was to expand its airbases along the LAC and to allow it to conduct a “wider range of operations,” the report said. China also sought to counter India’s relative advantage in some areas.Now, the outlet reports that the personnel bunkers have been reinforced. What gives this away is that they “have earth raised around them to provide additional protection from aerial or missile attacks”. In addition, entry and exit points are designed in a forked manner, ostensibly to dissipate the impact of bombardment.The report carries photographs from as recently as August 18, showing what the outlet identifies as “the development of underground facilities.”The report also says that a comparison of images taken on December 6, 2021, and August 18 this year, shows that the Chinese have built ramped up bunkers and done underground construction at six locations, within 15 square kilometres of Aksai Chin.The report also notes new development activity in the same region, including new roads, tunnels, new entrances and bunkers for soldiers. Hillsides in some places are being dug up for new tunnels.Indian officials have not commented on this analysis by HT.A day ago, it was reported that the China government’s 2023 edition of China’s standard map, released on August 28, continues to show the whole of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region as part of China.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that a “strong protest” was lodged with the Chinese that such moves “complicate” the resolution of the larger boundary dispute.
