New Chinese textbooks to cover 1962 war with India
Textbooks aim to enhance national security, include Xi Jinping’s philosophies
New Chinese history textbooks set for release next month will include content about the 1962 India-China war. This move aims to enhance national security awareness and integrate President Xi Jinping’s political and economic philosophies into society. The textbooks, which will also reference the 1979 China-Vietnam war, will be available to first and seventh graders in Chinese schools from the upcoming autumn semester, according to a report by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) citing China Central Television (CCTV).
The textbooks will feature the brief but intense 1962 border conflict between China and India, which concluded with India’s defeat after four weeks. However, the SCMP report did not specify the extent of the information included. A Chinese education ministry official stated that the new content aims to ensure students understand the importance of national security and their role in safeguarding it.
This inclusion comes amid ongoing border tensions between China and India, particularly in the western sector. Tensions escalated after a standoff in May 2020, followed by a deadly clash in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in June of the same year, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. The incident marked the lowest point in bilateral relations since the 1962 war. Despite multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks, the tension remains unresolved, with both nations continuing to station thousands of troops and heavy weaponry along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
Condition of Armed Forces under Nehru in 1962 War against China
Army was pulling the vehicles with ropes
There was nothing called Border Infrastructure
Arms/Ammunition wasn’t in place
Even Air Force wasn’t given permission to strike
After losing 50000 Sq Km to China, Nehru… pic.twitter.com/ldiP9C0y0U
— Flt Lt Anoop Verma (Retd.) 🇮🇳 (@FltLtAnoopVerma) September 1, 2023
China seldom discusses the 1962 war in official narratives but has occasionally allowed footage of the Galwan Valley clash to circulate on social media. In October 2022, Chinese authorities showcased People’s Liberation Army (PLA) footage of the Galwan Valley incident at the Communist Party of China’s 20th national congress in Beijing.
The new textbooks will also cover the 1979 China-Vietnam conflict, where 300,000 Chinese troops entered Vietnam to prevent Hanoi from toppling the Beijing-supported Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Similar to its dispute with India, China has a border disagreement with Vietnam and claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a claim contested by several maritime neighbours, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Additionally, the new textbooks on language, morality, and law will highlight “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” which was enshrined in China’s constitution in 2018, according to the SCMP report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What new content will be included in Chinese history textbooks?
The textbooks will include information about the 1962 India-China war and the 1979 China-Vietnam war.
When will the new Chinese history textbooks be rolled out?
The new textbooks will be distributed from the upcoming autumn semester.
Why is China including the 1962 war in the new textbooks?
To strengthen a sense of national security and highlight the responsibility of safeguarding it.
What other topics are highlighted in the new textbooks?
The textbooks highlight ‘Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’.
Which grades will receive the new Chinese history textbooks?
Students in the first and seventh grades will receive the new textbooks.
