China on Thursday strongly denied that its troops had entered Bhutanese territory.

In his monthly defence ministry briefing on Thursday, PLA spokesman Wu Qian speaking on the Dolkam standoff said, “The personnel have been operating on the Chinese territory. We have made very clear to the Indian side that they should correct their wrong doing and withdraw their personnel from the Chinese territory.”

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang promised to release pictures, seemingly as proof of Beijing’s contention that Indian troops had transgressed into Chinese territory.

“Since the illegal trespass happened, we have lodged solemn representation with the Indian side in Beijing and New Delhi. I think diplomatic channel of communication remains unimpeded,” Mr Lu observed.

He added: “We urged the Indian side to withdraw troops back to Indian side of the boundary. This is the precondition for the settlement of the incident and also the basis for us to conduct a meaningful dialogue.”

Mr. Lu stressed that “truth cannot be covered up”. “We again urge the Indian side to abide by historical boundary convention, respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and withdraw the troops to the Indian side to avoid escalations.”

Colonial basis

He explained that Sikkim sector of the border “has a clear legal basis”. “According to the convention between China and Great Britain in 1890, the boundary of Sikkim and Tibet shall be the crest of the mountain range separating the border into the Teesta.”