A photo from 2023 showing a member of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Border Guard equipped with body armor and wielding a traditional sword known as a ‘Guandao’ has resurfaced on social media, drawing renewed attention to the ongoing tensions between China and India. The image, presumed to be taken along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) — the disputed border between the two countries — highlights the unconventional nature of the standoff, where modern soldiers are seen using ancient weapons.
The LAC has been a hotspot for clashes between Indian and Chinese forces, especially since 2020 when a series of violent confrontations erupted despite an agreement prohibiting the use of firearms. This 1996 pact restricts both sides from using guns within two kilometers of the border, leading to skirmishes involving melee weapons such as clubs, batons, and now, the traditional Guandao. The resurgence of this photo underscores the unique blend of modern military equipment and ancient combat techniques that define the standoff, illustrating the complexity and intensity of the ongoing border dispute.
China’s PLA Border Guard on India border in body armor armed with a traditional sword known locally as a ‘Guandao’, 2023. pic.twitter.com/ikVh7ywrNf
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 23, 2024
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