Sino-Bhutanese relations
Encyclopedia
Bilateral relations between the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan
and the People's Republic of China have been traditionally tense and strained and they do not maintain official diplomatic relations. China shares a contiguous border of 470 kilometres (km) with Bhutan to the north and its territorial disputes with Bhutan have also been a source of potential conflict. Since the 1980s, both governments have conducted regular talks on border and security issues aimed at reducing tensions.
. Ties with Tibet were strained when Bhutan sided with the British Empire
in its war with Tibet. For a brief period, the Republic of China
officially maintained a territorial claim on Bhutan. Unlike Tibet, Bhutan had no history of being under the suzerainty
of China and had preserved its independence for centuries. With the increase in soldiers on the Chinese side of the Sino-Bhutanese border after the 17 point agreement
between the local Tibetan government and the central government of China, Bhutan withdrew its representative from Lhasa
. Its border with China has never been officially recognised and demarcated and the 1959 Tibetan Rebellion and the 14th Dalai Lama
's arrival in India made security a key priority for Bhutan. An estimated 6,000 Tibetans fled to Bhutan and were granted asylum
, although Bhutan subsequently closed its border to China, fearing more refugees.
occupied eight western Tibetan enclaves under Bhutanese administration. A Chinese map published in 1961 showed China claiming territories in Bhutan, Nepal
and the independent kingdom of Sikkim
(now a state of India). Incursions by Chinese soldiers and Tibetan herdsmen also provoked tensions in Bhutan. Imposing a cross-border trade embargo and closing the border, Bhutan established extensive military ties with India. During the 1962 Sino-Indian War
, Bhutanese authorities permitted Indian troop movements through Bhutanese territory. However, India's defeat in the war raised concerns about India's ability to defend Bhutan. Consequently, while building its ties with India, Bhutan officially established a policy of neutrality
. According to official statements by the King of Bhutan to the National Assembly
, there are four disputed areas between Bhutan and China. Starting from Doklam in the west, the border goes along the ridges from Gamochen to Batangla, Sinchela, and down to the Amo Chhu. The disputed area in Doklam covers 89 square kilometres (km2) and the disputed areas in Sinchulumpa and Gieu cover about 180 km2.
in 1971, Bhutan began to assert a different course in its foreign policy. In the U.N., Bhutan voted in favour of Communist China filling the seat occupied by the ROC
and openly supported the "One China" policy. In 1974 in a symbolic overture, Bhutan invited the Chinese ambassador to India to attend the coronation
of Jigme Singye Wangchuk as the king of Bhutan. In 1983, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian
and Bhutanese Foreign Minister
Dawa Tsering
held talks on establishing bilateral relations in New York. In 1984, China and Bhutan began annual, direct talks over the border dispute.
In 1998, China and Bhutan signed a bilateral agreement for maintaining peace on the border. In the agreement, China affirmed its respect for Bhutan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and both sides sought to build ties based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. However, China's building of roads within Bhutanese-claimed lands in violation of the 1998 agreement has provoked tensions. In 2002, China presented claims of evidence regarding ownership of disputed tracts of land; after negotiations, an interim agreement was reached.
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
and the People's Republic of China have been traditionally tense and strained and they do not maintain official diplomatic relations. China shares a contiguous border of 470 kilometres (km) with Bhutan to the north and its territorial disputes with Bhutan have also been a source of potential conflict. Since the 1980s, both governments have conducted regular talks on border and security issues aimed at reducing tensions.
Background
Throughout history, Bhutan has had strong cultural, historical, religious and economic ties to TibetTibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
. Ties with Tibet were strained when Bhutan sided with the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
in its war with Tibet. For a brief period, the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
officially maintained a territorial claim on Bhutan. Unlike Tibet, Bhutan had no history of being under the suzerainty
Suzerainty
Suzerainty occurs where a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which controls its foreign affairs while allowing the tributary vassal state some limited domestic autonomy. The dominant entity in the suzerainty relationship, or the more powerful entity itself, is called a...
of China and had preserved its independence for centuries. With the increase in soldiers on the Chinese side of the Sino-Bhutanese border after the 17 point agreement
Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet
The Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, or the Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet for short, is the document by which the delegates of the 14th Dalai Lama allegedly reached an...
between the local Tibetan government and the central government of China, Bhutan withdrew its representative from Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...
. Its border with China has never been officially recognised and demarcated and the 1959 Tibetan Rebellion and the 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
's arrival in India made security a key priority for Bhutan. An estimated 6,000 Tibetans fled to Bhutan and were granted asylum
Right of asylum
Right of asylum is an ancient juridical notion, under which a person persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in his or her own country may be protected by another sovereign authority, a foreign country, or church sanctuaries...
, although Bhutan subsequently closed its border to China, fearing more refugees.
Border issues
Along with the occupation of Tibet, the Chinese People's Liberation ArmyPeople's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
occupied eight western Tibetan enclaves under Bhutanese administration. A Chinese map published in 1961 showed China claiming territories in Bhutan, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
and the independent kingdom of Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
(now a state of India). Incursions by Chinese soldiers and Tibetan herdsmen also provoked tensions in Bhutan. Imposing a cross-border trade embargo and closing the border, Bhutan established extensive military ties with India. During the 1962 Sino-Indian War
Sino-Indian War
The Sino-Indian War , also known as the Sino-Indian Border Conflict , was a war between China and India that occurred in 1962. A disputed Himalayan border was the main pretext for war, but other issues played a role. There had been a series of violent border incidents after the 1959 Tibetan...
, Bhutanese authorities permitted Indian troop movements through Bhutanese territory. However, India's defeat in the war raised concerns about India's ability to defend Bhutan. Consequently, while building its ties with India, Bhutan officially established a policy of neutrality
Neutrality (international relations)
A neutral power in a particular war is a sovereign state which declares itself to be neutral towards the belligerents. A non-belligerent state does not need to be neutral. The rights and duties of a neutral power are defined in Sections 5 and 13 of the Hague Convention of 1907...
. According to official statements by the King of Bhutan to the National Assembly
National Assembly of Bhutan
The National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :...
, there are four disputed areas between Bhutan and China. Starting from Doklam in the west, the border goes along the ridges from Gamochen to Batangla, Sinchela, and down to the Amo Chhu. The disputed area in Doklam covers 89 square kilometres (km2) and the disputed areas in Sinchulumpa and Gieu cover about 180 km2.
Engagement
Until the 1970s, India represented Bhutan's concerns in talks with China over the broader Sino-Indian border conflicts. Obtaining membership in the United NationsUnited Nations member states
There are 193 United Nations member states, and each of them is a member of the United Nations General Assembly.The criteria for admission of new members are set out in the United Nations Charter, Chapter II, Article 4, as follows:...
in 1971, Bhutan began to assert a different course in its foreign policy. In the U.N., Bhutan voted in favour of Communist China filling the seat occupied by the ROC
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
and openly supported the "One China" policy. In 1974 in a symbolic overture, Bhutan invited the Chinese ambassador to India to attend the coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
of Jigme Singye Wangchuk as the king of Bhutan. In 1983, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian
Wu Xueqian
Wu Xueqian was the former Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China.-Biography:Wu Xueqian was born in Shanghai in 1921. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1939....
and Bhutanese Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister of Bhutan
The Foreign Minister of Bhutan occupies the Ministerial post in the Royal Government of Bhutan which deals with the country's foreign policy. The office was founded in 1968 as the Ministry of Development; it was reorganized in 1970 as the Department of Foreign Affairs...
Dawa Tsering
Dawa Tsering
Dawa Tsering , born 1935, served as the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan in the 1980s and 1990s, carrying out negotiations to improve Sino-Bhutanese relations.-References:...
held talks on establishing bilateral relations in New York. In 1984, China and Bhutan began annual, direct talks over the border dispute.
In 1998, China and Bhutan signed a bilateral agreement for maintaining peace on the border. In the agreement, China affirmed its respect for Bhutan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and both sides sought to build ties based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. However, China's building of roads within Bhutanese-claimed lands in violation of the 1998 agreement has provoked tensions. In 2002, China presented claims of evidence regarding ownership of disputed tracts of land; after negotiations, an interim agreement was reached.