China has created a new county named Cenling in Xinjiang region near the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Afghanistan border even as tensions prevail over border areas with India.
The new county is located close to Karakoram mountain range and narrow Wakhan Corridor. As per reports, this area is considered important because it connects China with Afghanistan and is sensitive for security reasons.
Reportedly, Xinjiang is a region where many Uyghur Muslims live and China has faced issues related to separatist movements there. The government wants to control illegal crossings and maintain stability.
Cenling is the third new county created by China in Xinjiang in just over a year. It was announced by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region government on March 26. It will be placed under Kashgar prefecture, a report in the South China Morning Post said.
The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip of land in Afghanistan that separates China from Pakistan. As per reports, It is difficult to monitor because of its mountainous terrain, which makes security management more challenging.
Some experts say that creating new administrative areas can help China improve governance, infrastructure, and surveillance in remote regions. It may also help in faster response to any security threats reportedly.
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