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In a move aimed at strengthening its military presence along the disputed border with India, China is enhancing oxygen supplies for its troops stationed on the Tibetan plateau.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve equipment, training, and logistics in the high-altitude region, according to a report by the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army.
The military has established a 20-kilometer supply zone to enhance operational efficiency at border outposts situated at high altitudes. Liu Hao, commander of a border regiment in the Hotan military subdistrict, emphasized the importance of this development. "Faster and more reliable oxygen access is critical for our soldiers' health and combat readiness," Liu told the PLA Daily.
This subdistrict, located at an elevation of 5,380 meters (17,700 feet), is strategically positioned near the Galwan Valley, the site of a deadly clash between Chinese and Indian troops in June 2020.
The border between China and India, stretching over 3,500 kilometers through the Himalayas, is a source of ongoing tension. The high-altitude environment poses significant challenges for military operations, with oxygen levels significantly lower than at sea level.
The Hotan military subdistrict, under the jurisdiction of the PLA's Xinjiang Military Command, plays a crucial role in managing operations along the western sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This area has witnessed several escalations in military tensions in recent years, although a relative calm has prevailed since late 2024.
The enhancement in oxygen supply logistics is not merely about troop health; it's a strategic move to maintain combat effectiveness in high-altitude warfare, where physical exertion is significantly more demanding.
Improved oxygen supply systems, including portable oxygen cylinders, individual oxygen generators, and oxygen production cabins at the outposts, are designed to mitigate the effects of acute mountain sickness and ensure troops remain combat-ready.
