Mar 10 • 09:10 UTC 🇨🇳 China South China Morning Post

How China plans for greater power projection in Xinjiang and Tibet over the next 5 years

China is focusing on infrastructure projects, including enhanced highway construction in Xinjiang and Tibet, to bolster its strategic capabilities over the next five years.

China is set to enhance its power projection in regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet through a series of significant infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and military mobility. One of the key initiatives is the completion of two major highways that will traverse all nine of China’s land-border provinces, which is strategically vital given the current geopolitical context. This development will facilitate better access and control over these sensitive border areas, reinforcing China's presence and influence.

In addition to the border highways, the planned upgrades to existing infrastructure, particularly the Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway in Xinjiang, are critical to reducing travel times and improving year-round access across the Tianshan Mountains. The construction of this highway, which began in September and is expected to be completed by 2032, is particularly relevant as it follows the historical precedence set by improvements made after the 1962 Sino-India border war. Such upgrades not only ease civilian transport but also enhance military logistics, showcasing China’s intent to fortify its operational capabilities in these border regions.

Moreover, the broader infrastructure plan includes advancing the National Coastal Highway along the eastern coast, linking strategic points that are crucial for trade and military logistics. By connecting Dandong, which borders North Korea, with Dongxing near Vietnam, these developments signify China's ambition to secure its borders and improve its strategic reach across multiple fronts. Overall, these infrastructural improvements reflect China's long-term strategic goals as it navigates an increasingly complex regional and global landscape.

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