China has built second enclave in Arunachal's Shi-Yomi: Report

The enclave did not exist in 2019.

China Arunachal Shi-Yomi

China has built a second enclave, consisting of at least 60 buildings, in Arunachal Pradesh. The enclave is about 6 kilometres inside India, between the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the International Boundary. This area has always been claimed by India.


The new enclave did not exist in 2019, according to satellite images obtained by NDTV.

The enclave is located 93 kilometres east of a Chinese-built village in Arunachal Pradesh, whose existence was recently confirmed by the Pentagon.

The information comes after satellite imagery experts showed another China-constructed enclave within the territory of Bhutan.

In the latest satellite images posted by a satellite imagery expert has shown China allegedly constructed Chinese villages in the disputed Bhutanese soil in the past one year. The expert that keeps an eye on the Chinese military development has revealed multiple new villages that are being laid over an area of around 100 square km.

This disputed land sits near the Doklam plateau where India and China had a clash in the year 2017. After the faceoff, China bypassed Indian defences and began road construction activities in the area, which was the primary point of discord between Delhi and Beijing.

These new villages in Bhutan were constructed between May 2020 and November 2021.

Also Read: China forcefully occupies Bhutanese territory, builds 4 villages in 1 year

Meanwhile, the new enclave built in the Indian territory of Arunanchal was discovered using satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs, two of the world's leading satellite imagery providers.

These images of Arunachal's Shi-Yomi district show dozens of structures, including one with a Chinese flag painted on the roof that was large enough to be seen by imaging satellites. The enormous flag appears to stake a claim to the region.

On Bharatmaps, a Government of India online map service, the exact location of the new enclave is clearly indicated. The location is also confirmed by a digital map of India, which was meticulously detailed by the Surveyor General of India.

China's prolonged construction along its border with India comes as the country introduces a new Land Borders Law that promises state support for civilian settlements along the border. Since international law acknowledges civilian settlements as evidence of a nation's effective control over an area, building border villages is seen as a key part of China's strategy of trying to make its territorial claims permanent.



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