Beijing can’t afford instability in region

Zhan Lue of China’s prestigious Institute for International Strategic Studies has set the cat among the pigeons by suggesting that Beijing should work at splitting India into independent nations and take the help of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan and Nepal in this endeavour.

Zhan’s rather bizarre theory reflects the general hostility which has crept up in ties between the two Asian giants in the last two years and China’s aggressive self-assertion in issues relating to India.

India’s foreign office was, however, outraged enough to react sharply and remind China to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of its neighbours.

Zhan Lue’s writings have now been removed from the website. Ironically, the analysis was out in Chinese websites roughly around the same time as the India-China border talks were on in New Delhi.

Zhan Lue’s may not reflect the opinion of the Chinese state, but the fact that it was published in a state-controlled regime, it can be taken as having the blessings of a section of the hardline Chinese establishment.