Fact Check: Verifying Claims of Chinese Military Build-up Near Arunachal Pradesh

China Military Exercise Video Misrepresented as Border Buildup Near Arunachal Pradesh

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), India’s official government fact-checking agency, has debunked viral claims suggesting that China is conducting a “large-scale military build-up” near Arunachal Pradesh along the India-China border. The agency confirmed that the widely circulated video has no connection to any military activities along the Indian border.

“Several social media accounts have shared a video claiming that China has started a massive military build-up near Arunachal Pradesh. This claim is fake,” PIB stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The clarification comes amid growing concerns about potential renewed tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border between the two nations.

According to PIB’s investigation, the footage actually depicts a routine military exercise conducted by a brigade of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) 78th Group Army, which operates under China’s Northern Theatre Command. This command is headquartered in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, thousands of kilometers away from the India-China border region.

“The video shared shows a military exercise conducted by a brigade of the PLA’s 78th Group Army… The video has no relation to any exercise on the Indian border,” the fact-check unit emphasized. The agency added that the exercise took place approximately a month ago and does not indicate any unusual troop movements near Arunachal Pradesh or elsewhere along the India-China frontier.

The misleading footage first appeared on YouTube before being recirculated across various social media platforms with alarmist and inaccurate captions. To support its clarification, PIB provided a link to the original video upload, allowing viewers to verify the actual context of the military exercise.

This incident highlights the persistent tensions and sensitivities surrounding the India-China border region, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. The northeastern Indian state has been a longstanding point of contention between the two countries, with China claiming large portions of it as “South Tibet” while India maintains it as an integral part of its territory.

The India-China border has experienced heightened military presence since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides. Multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks have taken place to ease tensions, though complete disengagement in all friction points remains a work in progress.

Misinformation regarding military movements along the contested border can potentially inflame public sentiment and complicate the already delicate diplomatic efforts between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The spread of such unverified content poses particular challenges in an era when social media can rapidly amplify sensationalist claims.

In its public message, PIB urged citizens to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information online, particularly regarding sensitive geopolitical matters. “Please stay alert and rely only on information obtained from official sources,” the agency advised.

This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role fact-checking agencies play in countering misinformation that could potentially impact national security perceptions or bilateral relations between neighboring countries. As border discussions between India and China continue through established diplomatic channels, accurate reporting remains essential for maintaining public understanding of the actual situation along the LAC.