IIRC, China does occupy parts of northern Kashmir claimed by India. This would be part of the ethnically Tibetan part of Kashmir (originally part of the ancient Tibetan kingdom of Guge).
China and India had border clashes in the late 1980’s, but not over this area of Kashmir. Rather, the clashes were on the eastern border between Nepal and Myanmar. IIRC that was the last time where there was any sort of military clash, but relations are strained between the two countries. Traditionally, China and India did not share a border, rather Tibet was the buffer state between the two (of course you can debate whether Tibet was part of China or not).
China has good relations with Pakistan, and there is a fair amount of trade between the two countries. There are reports that China provides military assistance to Pakistan. China would probably feel threatened if India were to take over Pakistan. Economically, China and India are rivals for the same sort of export goods. China is starting to also make inroads in the software engineering/support that has been India’s strong point.
I’m currently without the internet at a convient place (such as my home) so I’m only read the SDMB once or twice since I got back home. I resolved not to post as I more likely than not wouldn’t be able to respond to a response or a question about a post of mine in a timely manner, but I’ve decided to break that for this comment.
Gobear, that’s exactly the type of thinking which lead to the interment of Japanese citizens in WWII, mistreatment of Protestants in Catholic counties, and vice versa. During Desert Storm, did you notice any wide spread outrage in the Arab community? During the Cuban Missile Crisis did Miami burn in a riot? During Kosovo did the Central European couple down the street act chilly towards you?
I know that you are upset about the assassination of Pim Fortuyn and see it as an attack on your lifestyle. I won’t say that it is, not will I deny it. I simply wish to warn you of the danger of such a thought and the reasons that it is flawed.
Amazingly, this is the same question (with a foregone conclusion) that is used in India to brand all Muslims as unpatriotic Paki supporters. The worst bit is, it’s a self perpetrating cycle - once you treat someone as an outsider, they tend to seek solace outside the society and sleep with the enemy, since you sure as hell aren’t sleeping with them .
Aksai Chin is the one of the disputed territories of Kashmir, ceded to China by Pakistan. This territory was considered by China to be part of it, just like Tibet, Taiwan, the monarchic republic of Sikkim, the Ladakh province of Kashmir and parts of Assam in India. China Guy is right, India didn’t share a border with China, till the occupation of Tibet, since when the defence expenditure went up phenomenally, crushing the national budget for years.
In the event of a conflict, I believe China will provide covert assistance to Pakistan, in return for territory.
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