In the 60s of the last century, China's southwestern border areas were plagued by India's nuisances, and the Indian side ignored China's warnings and violated China's rights and interests again and again.
Eventually, China could not bear it anymore and responded with force in October 1962 to India's unreasonable behavior, which became known as the "Sino-Indian Border Self-Defense Counterattack".
I, the premier, Comrade Shaoqi, Comrade Xiaoping, and comrades from the Central Military Commission all participated in this battle in Beijing, and although we did not go to the front, we all supported us behind the scenes. ”
Looking back at China's counterattack against India, we can see that it won by a landslide. However, before the outbreak of the war, the chairman did not have much confidence in the chances of winning this battle, so the decision to send troops was delayed.
It wasn't until the words of Zhang Guohua, the commander of the ** Military Region, that the chairman of the *** was relieved.
Zhang Guohua once mentioned the decision-making process of the Sino-Indian war. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, China and India had a sweet period. India was the first non-socialist country in the world to recognize the new Chinese regime and establish diplomatic relations with it.
Although China and India once had a deep friendship, India chose to turn its back on it at a critical moment. In 1951, the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea caused China to concentrate a large number of troops on the Korean Peninsula, and the deployment of forces in the southwestern border area was relatively weak.
At this time, India took advantage of the situation and concentrated its forces to seize part of China's territory in the middle of the Sino-Indian border and 90,000 square kilometers of China's land south of the "McMahon Line."
The McMahon Line is not an official border between China and India, but was imposed on China during the British colonial rule of India. For a long time, the borders between the two countries have been demarcated according to their respective administrative jurisdictions, i.e. customary borders.
This line is illegal, and our country will not recognize it. India has continued to provoke, but for the sake of the overall situation, China has always been patient and restrained and unwilling to confront India. ** Zeng said that there are more friends than enemies, and China already has the United States as an enemy, so we do not want to be an enemy of India.
China has always adhered to the national policy of "not making enemies of the East against the United States, and the West from India", stressing that we should not regard friends as enemies. This was clearly conveyed by the President to Ambassador Pan Zili of India in 1959.
However, it is deeply regrettable that India seems to have turned a blind eye to our friendly attitude and has even made even greater moves.
In the face of the continuous provocations of the Indian army, China chose to forbear, but in exchange for the misunderstanding and aggression of the Indians. This kind of behavior can't help but make people think deeply, what is real forbearance, and what is weakness and fear?
In international relations, we should adhere to our principles, stick to the bottom line, and not give up our rights and dignity because of temporary forbearance.
In November 1959, the chairman, the prime minister, and others held a high-level meeting on "how to resolve the Sino-Indian border conflict". During the meeting, Lei Yingfu (director of the Office of the Strategic Group of the Central Military Commission, with the rank of major general) gave a detailed account of the incident on the Sino-Indian border conflict.
How can a conflict be avoided when the two sides of the border soldiers face each other all day, with guns in their hands, and once the trigger is pulled, innocent lives are taken? To this end, ** proposed a "quarantine policy", which in simple terms, China and India each retreated 20 kilometers, and if India did not agree, then China would implement this policy alone.
On November 7, China sent a letter to Jawaharlal Nehru (Prime Minister of India) proposing a "quarantine policy". However, Nehru was adamantly opposed to this and stood his ground.
In addition, India mistakenly believes that China's tolerance is weak, so it has become even more reckless in creating trouble on the border. Despite this, China still adhered to the "policy of isolation" and implemented "extraordinary measures" in January 1960, including the non-use of force and non-live-fire exercises.
My country has been doing its utmost to maintain peace and stability along the border. As early as 1961, we made several proposals to adhere to the "policy of isolation" in order to avoid an escalation of the conflict, but these efforts were categorically rejected by Nehru.
By June 1962, India's ambitions were growing and they were no longer content with skirmishes. The Indian army has quickened the pace of invading China, and even crossed the so-called "McMahon Line" and invaded the area around Ludong in the south of China's mountain.
In the face of the aggressive Indian army, "People**" published an editorial on September 22, 1962, entitled "Unbearable", warning India. Subsequently, ** received a message from the PLA General Staff: the Indian army is expected to launch an offensive in the coming days, which may be the first real fighting since the three-year conflict on the Sino-Indian border.
Sure enough, on October 17, the Indian army suddenly launched artillery bombardment on many positions of the Chinese border guards.
On the second day after the smoke of artillery fire cleared, the chairman presided over an enlarged meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee, at which the premier put forward a proposal to carry out a self-defense counterattack against India, and this proposal was unanimously approved by those present.
Subsequently, the war of self-defense and counterattack against India was officially put on the agenda. Zhang Guohua said: "Since Nehru has to fight, then we have to accompany him. This statement gave everyone confidence and reassurance.
After careful consideration, ** accepted the proposal for a self-defense counterattack against India. Now that it has been determined that this battle will be fought, it will be necessary to discuss how victory can be achieved and the viability of the battle.
So, who will command this battle? ** Zhang Guohua, commander of the military region, is the best candidate.
General Zhang Guohua was the founding lieutenant general of the People's Republic of China, and he made outstanding contributions to the liberation and construction. At the same time, he also actively participated in military operations such as "counterattack against India" and "defense", showing a heroic and fearless spirit.
As for the Indian army, the squadron and the Indian army have not fought in modern times, and our army has no experience in fighting against India.
Although the Indian army looks good on paper, what is the actual situation, not even ***. Therefore, he personally approached Zhang Guohua and asked: "Is the Indian army really combative?"
Will we be able to defeat them? ”