China’s Xiaokang Villages

India’s military leadership has raised concerns over China’s large-scale construction of around 628 “Xiaokang” villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Reports suggest that nearly 90% of these villages facing Arunachal Pradesh are part of a broader strategy to strengthen China’s territorial claims.

What are Xiaokang Border Defence Villages?

The term “Xiaokang” means “moderately prosperous” in Chinese. These villages are part of a programme launched around 2017 in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to develop border settlements near disputed frontiers.

China has constructed or upgraded 628 such villages across 21 border counties, with an estimated investment of around 30 billion yuan. A key point is that although they are presented as rural development projects, they function as strategic border infrastructure.

These villages are designed with modern facilities such as roads, electricity, water supply, and communication networks, making them fully habitable and sustainable.

Dual-Use Strategic Nature

Although officially described as part of rural development, Xiaokang villages are widely assessed as dual-use infrastructure, meaning they serve both civilian and military purposes.

They can be used to:

• House People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel

• Support rapid military mobilisation in border areas

• Enable continuous surveillance of Indian border regions

Legal and Strategic Framework

The initiative is supported by China’s 2022 Land Border Law, which encourages stronger border governance and integration of civilian life with border defence.

This approach reflects a strategy of military-civil fusion, where civilian infrastructure is directly linked to national defence objectives. It is also associated with “salami-slicing tactics”, where gradual changes on the ground are used to alter the status quo without triggering war.

Demographic and Surveillance Strategy

These villages are also part of a broader policy of demographic engineering in border areas, aimed at:

• Increasing Chinese population presence in sensitive zones

• Strengthening Chinese Communist Party (CCP) control at the grassroots level

• Monitoring cross-border movement and activities

• Promoting Sinicization of Tibetan border regions

Strategic Impact on India

The construction of Xiaokang villages has significant implications for India, especially along the LAC.

These villages create permanent settlements in disputed areas, which China may use to strengthen its legal and administrative claims under domestic laws. They are also seen as a violation of past bilateral understandings, including agreements on maintaining peace and stability along the border.

A major concern is that these villages act as forward operating bases with civilian cover, enabling quicker military deployment when needed.

Security Concerns for India

These developments pose multiple strategic challenges for India. They increase constant surveillance pressure along sensitive sectors such as Arunachal Pradesh, including areas near Tawang.

They also contribute to psychological pressure on Indian border communities by showcasing rapid Chinese infrastructure development.

A key point is the concern over proximity to strategic areas like the Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck), which is vital for India’s northeastern connectivity.

India’s Response and Initiatives

To counter these developments, India has strengthened its border infrastructure and development programmes. Key initiatives include:

• Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) to improve livelihood and prevent migration from border areas

• India-China Border Roads (ICBR) Programme for connectivity

• Border Roads Organisation (BRO) projects such as the Sela Tunnel and Zojila Tunnel

• Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme

Way Forward for India

India needs to accelerate development of all-weather border roads, tunnels, and air connectivity to ensure rapid military mobilisation. It must also strengthen advanced surveillance systems using satellites, drones, and AI-based monitoring.

At the same time, expanding Vibrant Villages into fully developed border economic hubs is essential to prevent depopulation and strengthen local resilience.