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This article was first published 15 years ago

Most Chinese say India poses biggest threat

June 12, 2009 21:45 IST

Image: A Chinese flag flutters against the backdrop of the Great Wall of China
Photographs: Reuters
Call it a cock-and-bull or a bull-in-a-China-shop story. Whatever, this report is an eye-opener.

Ever wondered what China thinks about India? If a recent poll in China is to be believed, 90 per cent of the Chinese think that India poses the biggest threat to its existence.

The poll was conducted after Global Times -- the newspaper which has reported links with China's Communist Party -- announced that India would dispatch 60,000 troops to the border with China amid 'escalating tension' between the two Asian giants.

India is not a friendly country, says Chinese

Image: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao raise a toast. Picture taken in 2008.
Photographs: Reuters

Interestingly, the Global Times report claims, the tension along the disputed border between the two countries has escalated in the last few days after India's military move. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it claimed, said his government would make no concessions to China on territorial disputes.

The report quotes Arunachal Pradesh Pradesh Governor retired General J J Singh as saying, 'The move was intended to meet future security challenges from China.'

India can't compete: China

Image: Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. A file picture.
Photographs: Reuters

About 74 percent people in the poll conducted by a Web site believed China should not maintain friendly relations with India after its 'military provocation.'

More than 65 percent of people believed India's actions were harmful to bilateral ties and it is more harmful to India.

The Global Times says India has long held contradictory views on China.

India is frustrated, says China

Image: Chinese soldiers put up a flag atop their post at the India-China trade route at Nathu-La Pass
Photographs: Reuters

The report adds, 'Another big Asian country, India is frustrated that China's rise has captured much of the world's attention. Proud of its "advanced political system," India feels superior to China. However, it faces a disappointing domestic situation which is unstable compared with China's.'

 

India likes to brag, says China

Image: A labourer carries a sandbag for construction at the India-China trade route at Nathu-La
Photographs: Reuters

India likes to brag about its sustainable development, but worries that it is being left behind by China. China is seen in India as both a potential threat and a competitor to surpass, the report said.

What Chinese think of India

Image: The Tibetan issue is a major irritant in Sino-indian ties
Photographs: Reuters

But India can't actually compete with China in a number of areas, like international influence, overall national power and economic scale. India apparently has not yet realized this, the Global Times report added.

Can the Asian giants grow together?

Image: India's decision to host Dalai Lama angered China
Photographs: Reuters

Indian politicians these days seem to think their country would be doing China a huge favor simply by not joining the "ring around China" established by the US and Japan, the report concluded.