China, India should work together for a prosperous future

I disagree that China has engaged in “incremental nibbling advances” in the Doklam region, when India has been sneaking around the Sikkim section of the China-India border (Debunking the myth of Chinese centrality to Asia; Aug 2).

The 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation would hardly reveal the transformation pattern and psyche of modern China.

India must emulate China and focus on rapid development to improve its infrastructure, socio-economic landscape and living standards, and to rid itself of poverty. Stirring up border tensions would only serve the geopolitical interests of Western powers and allies.

The Sikkim section of the China-India boundary was defined under an 1890 agreement between Britain and China, and the June border crossing was an attempt to prevent Chinese road construction within Doklam territory.

Both India and China have built infrastructure near the border to improve communications, hence speculation that Chinese presence in Doklam is a dagger pointed at India’s 21-kilometre wide Chicken’s Neck linking its north-eastern states is baseless.

On the 90th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that China will persist with peaceful development — despite its growing economic and military strength — and not seek expansion.

I believe that wisdom will guide India to remain sober and guard against a wrong judgment. It would be sensible and productive to pull back its intrusion and begin discussions about how to resolve the impasse.

As old civilisations, each with a time-honoured history and brilliant culture, China and India should cooperate to build the world’s largest market and enjoy co-prosperity.

Peace and stability in their border regions are in both their interests, for a better future.