China has announced that it will ban pork......>

ASIA: China has announced that it will ban pork imports from India, ostensibly

due to concerns over the spread of African swine fever.

- However, the announcement can be seen to have a political motive, with the two

countries engaged in a territorial dispute along the Himalayan border between

the two countries. Each side has accused the other of troop incursions. 

- The escalation follows incidents of fist-fights between Indian and Chinese

troops. This has led to a build up of troops on both sides. 

- Skirmishes are not uncommon due to the disputed nature of the border, known as

the Line of Actual Control.

- Outbreak of wider conflict unlikely. China already dealing with trade war w/

US, the risk of backlash against the spread of COVID-19, and international

condemnation of the imposition of a new security law on Hong Kong. 

- Nevertheless, tensions between the two sides  to remain high. Delhi is wary of

China's increasing presence in neighbouring Pakistan via its belt-and-road

initiative. Beijing concerned about India's increasing security links with US,

Australia and Japan.