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OPINION JULY 05, 2024 | The Indian Eye 10

Deciphering Xiaokang Along

the India-China Border

China has initiated the rapid construction of Xiaokang border villages in Tibet,

close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Middle and Eastern sectors of the India-China

border. Consequently, it has emerged as another point of friction in the India-China relation.

This article delves into the concept of Xiaokang and its geostrategic implications for India

SIBANI CHOUDHURY

he genesis of the term Xia-
okang can be traced back to
Tthe Chinese Book of Songs,
dating back to 2000 years ago. In
Mandarin, the term Xiaokang im-
plies “moderate prosperity”.
This ancient concept was revital-
ized in modern times by Deng Xia-
oping in 1979, who used the term to
describe China’s modernization goal,
which aimed to elevate China from
its low-income country status. Conse-
quently, Xiaokang became a key de-
velopmental objective of the Chinese
Communist Party (CCP).

Through the 12th National
Congress in 1982, Hu Yao-
bang made Xiaokang the
medium for achieving Chi-

na’s economic development
to ensure that people could
live a life of moderate mate-
rial and cultural prosperity

by the end of the 20th cen-
tury.

In the following years, the Xia- Xiaokang has become a part of Xi Jinping’s visible interest in the Tibet region to consolidate hold over the territory. His strategy of securitizing
okang model gained significant rel- the frontiers of Tibet and assimilating the Tibetan people into the Chinese nation-state
evance as it evolved into a concept
that encompassed a comprehensive
development of Chinese society in mony. a Xiaokang society coincided with Xiaokang in Tibet
“all aspects.” In the 18th National Congress the timing of introducing Xiaokang
At the 16th National Congress in 2012, Xi Jinping expanded Chi- border villages in Tibet in 2017. Al- iaokang has become a part of
in 2002, Hu Jintao emphasized na’s Xiaokang goal by declaring it though economic development and Xi Jinping’s visible interest in
achieving a Xiaokang society in “all the first centenary goal, which is to rural revitalization were supposed to Xthe Tibet region to consolidate
aspect”, which implies achieving de- be achieved by 2021.Notably, Xi Jin- be the main elements of building a hold over the territory. His strategy of
velopment targets in multiple areas, ping’s prioritization of raising the liv- Xiaokang society, they appear to be securitizing the frontiers of Tibet and
including democracy, science and ing standards of rural residents and strategically calculated in the name assimilating the Tibetan people into
education, cultural and social har- his strategy of successfully building of development. Continued on next page... >>

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