SOURCE: AFI
In a move to reinforce its military capabilities along the tense border with India, Chinese troops stationed on the Tibetan plateau are now equipped with enhanced oxygen supplies. This initiative comes as part of broader efforts to improve equipment, training, and logistics in the region, according to a report by the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the People’s Liberation Army.
The military has established a 20-kilometer (12.4 miles) supply zone aimed at boosting operational efficiency at high-altitude border outposts. Liu Hao, who commands a border regiment in the Hotan military subdistrict at an elevation of 5,380 meters (17,700 feet), highlighted the significance of this development. “Faster and more reliable oxygen access is critical for our soldiers’ health and combat readiness,” Liu told the PLA Daily.
Hotan, located in the Xinjiang region on the Karakoram plateau — one of the highest mountain ranges globally — is strategically positioned near the Galwan Valley. The valley gained international attention following a lethal clash between Chinese and Indian troops on June 15, 2020, where 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.
The border between China and India stretches over 3,500 kilometers (2,170 miles), characterized by colonial-era demarcations that have led to ongoing disputes. This frontier, running through the Himalayas, presents some of the most challenging environments for military operations, with oxygen levels dipping well below 40 percent of sea-level concentrations.
The Hotan military subdistrict, under the jurisdiction of the PLA’s Xinjiang Military Command, plays a crucial role in managing operations along the western sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This area has seen several escalations in military tensions over recent years, although a relative calm has returned since late 2024.
This enhancement in oxygen supply logistics is not just about health; it’s a strategic move to maintain combat effectiveness in high-altitude warfare where physical exertion is significantly more taxing. Improved oxygen supply systems include portable oxygen cylinders, individual oxygen generators, and oxygen production cabins at the outposts, all designed to mitigate the effects of acute mountain sickness, a common ailment at these elevations.