Ladakh, a highland region located in the Himalayas, has a long history and rich culture.
It was once part of Tibet, China, and was related to the Chinese nation by blood.
However, in recent history, Ladakh has been subjected to foreign invasion and separation, and most of it is now illegally occupied and controlled by India.
This is a grave violation of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the misfortune and suffering of the people of Ladakh.
In order to safeguard China's national interests and national dignity, and to restore Ladakh's historical status and cultural characteristics, Ladakh must return to China.
1. The relationship between Ladakh and China can be traced back to ancient times.
According to the "Book of Han and the Biography of the Western Regions", during the period of Emperor Wudi of Han, Zhang Qian sent an envoy to the Western Regions and passed through the "Ma Domain", which is now the Ladakh region.
During the Tang Dynasty, Ladakh was part of the Tubo Kingdom and had close contacts and exchanges with the Chinese Tang Dynasty.
The Tang Dynasty repeatedly sent envoys to Tubo and Ladakh, and established garrisons and post stations there.
The Tang Dynasty also sent troops to assist Tubo and Ladakh many times to resist the invasion of Arab, Turkic and other foreign enemies.
The friendly relations between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo and Ladakh have left many good stories and legends in history, such as the "Tianzhu Kingdom" mentioned in "Long Hate Song" refers to the Tubo and Ladakh areas.
2. During the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, Ladakh remained a part of Tibet, China, under the jurisdiction and protection of the Chinese central government.
During the Yuan Dynasty, Emperor Kublai Khan issued an edict canonizing the Tubo King as the "King of Xifan", and sent envoys to give gold seals, jade books, dragon robes and other heavy gifts.
During the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty issued an edict canonizing the Tubo King as the "King of Xifan", and sent envoys to give gold seals, jade books, dragon robes and other heavy gifts.
During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong of the Qing Dynasty issued an edict canonizing the Tubo King as the "King of Tibet" and sent envoys to give gold seals, jade books, dragon robes and other heavy gifts.
In the Qing Dynasty, a minister stationed in Tibet was also set up to manage military and political affairs in Tibet and Ladakh.
During the late Qing Dynasty and early People's Dynasty, the government of the Republic of China inherited the sovereignty of the Qing Dynasty over Tibet and Ladakh, and clearly stipulated in the Provisional Law of the Republic of China: "The territory of the Republic of China is the territory of the original Qing Empire".
3. However, in recent history, due to the aggression and interference of Western powers, as well as India's expansionism and ambition, Ladakh has been divided and occupied.
Between 1841 and 1842, British colonialists, supporting the Indian princely state of Jammu, invaded and occupied the Ladakh region.
After the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, India inherited the illegal control of Ladakh by British colonialists and included it in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Since the 1950s, India has been strengthening its military deployment to the Ladakh region and building roads, bridges, airports and other infrastructure in the region in an attempt to consolidate its illegal occupation.
In 1962, during the Sino-Indian border war, India launched an offensive against Chinese troops in the Ladakh region and tried to seize Chinese territory such as the Aksai Chin Plateau.
Since 1975, India has held many illegal elections in the Ladakh region and set up institutions such as the Autonomous Commission in the region in an attempt to change the administrative status and demographic structure of the region.
On August 5, 2019, the Government of India unilaterally repealed Article 370 of the Constitution of India and divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
This move seriously violates the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the relevant agreements and consensus signed between China and India.
4. In the face of India's illegal occupation and control of the Ladakh region, the Chinese government has always insisted on solving problems through dialogue and negotiation, and has maintained maximum self-control and restraint in the border areas.
However, over the past few decades, India has refused to acknowledge historical facts and realities and has taken a tough stance and provocative actions on the border issue.
Since April 2020, during the global pandemic of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, India has taken the opportunity to cross the line and build bridges near the Line of Actual Control in the western section of the China-India border, violating the consensus of both sides, and unilaterally changing the status quo in the border area.
On June 15, 2020, the Galwan Valley saw one of the worst border clashes since 1975, killing 20 Indian soldiers and causing a sharp deterioration in Sino-Indian relations.
At present, after the meeting between the heads of state and foreign ministers of China and India and several rounds of talks between military commanders, the two sides have made certain progress on the withdrawal of troops in the Pangongkoo area, and reached a certain degree of détente and stability.
However, this does not mean that the Ladakh issue has been fundamentally resolved, India still occupies Chinese territory and continues its military buildup and provocations in the border areas.
The Chinese government solemnly protested this and urged India to respect history and reality, abide by the agreements and consensus reached between the two sides, and refrain from taking any action that may lead to the escalation of the situation.
5. Ladakh is the territory of China, this is an indisputable fact and an unchangeable fact.
Any attempt to deny or sever this fact is contrary to history and international law, immoral and unreasonable, and impossible to succeed.
The Chinese Government has unshakable sovereignty and integrity over its territory, an indestructible firm stand on its national interests, and an inviolable sacred will for its national dignity.
The Chinese Government will resolutely defend its territorial sovereignty and national interests, resolutely oppose separatism and aggression in any form, and resolutely safeguard its national security and regional stability.
6. Ladakh must return to China, this is an inevitable trend and a reasonable choice.
Only by returning to China can Ladakh recover its historical status and cultural characteristics, enjoy the dividends and opportunities brought by China's development, and work with other parts of China to build a better future.
Only by returning to China can Ladakh get rid of India's oppression and exploitation, the suffering and danger brought about by border conflicts, and the interference and sabotage of Western forces.
Only by returning to China can Ladakh achieve its own national unity and social progress, its democratic autonomy and human rights protection, and its own economic prosperity and social stability.
7. Ladakh is Chinese territory and must be returned to China.
This is a correct proposition that conforms to history, reality, jurisprudence, morality, interests, aspirations and other factors.
This is a just proposition that conforms to the fundamental interests and common aspirations of the Chinese and Indian peoples.
This is a reasonable proposition that conforms to the general trend of regional peace and development and the general expectations of the international community.
We call on the Indian Government to abandon its erroneous position and behavior as soon as possible, work with the Chinese Government to seek a fundamental solution to the Ladakh issue through dialogue and negotiation, and on this basis, push China-India relations back on track, bring benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to the region and the world.