China deploys 40,000 more troops at LAC, alongside warns US of 'firm countermeasure'

It seems that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is not in a mood to de-escalate the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as it has continued deployment of around 40,000 troops in its front and depth areas for the Eastern Ladakh sector.

The Chinese are also not honouring their commitment for disengagement at the friction points in Eastern Ladakh and not moving back as per the agreed terms during the multiple rounds of talks at the government and Army level and intervention at the senior level like the one done by the National Security Advisor couple of weeks ago would be required for further progress, the sources said.

"The Chinese have not shown any signs of de-escalation as they continue to maintain their heavy troop deployment of almost 40,000 troops supported by heavy weaponry like air defence systems, armoured personnel carriers and long-range artillery in front and depth areas," sources said.

The disengagement process has also not made any progress since the last round of talks between the two Corps Commanders held last week and ground positions have also not changed, the sources said.

On the other hand, The United States (US) on Wednesday (22 July) asked China to shut its commerce consulate in Houston, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The Chinese government called the move an "unprecedented escalation" as it claimed that the US government has given a 72 hours ultimatum to shut the consulate.

While alleging that it was an unilateral decision by the US, the Chinese government said it would "react with firm countermeasures" if the "erroneous decision" was not taken back.

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, also alleged that its diplomatic staff and several Chinese students were also harassed and threatened and their personal electrical devices were also confiscated. It also accused that several of them were also detained for no reason.

It said, "China strongly condemns such an outrageous and unjustified move which will sabotage China-U.S. relations."

"We urge the U.S. to immediately withdraw its erroneous decision. Otherwise China will make legitimate and necessary reactions," the Chinese Foreign Ministry added.

While it is not yet clear what motivated the sudden decision by the Trump administration, it has come only a day after the Tuesday events at the consulate in Houston.

As per the New York Post, Houston police had received reports that Chinese officials were burning documents at the Consulate on Tuesday evening. A news reporter's video showed several people surrounding multiple trash cans with documents on fire, in the consulate's courtyard.