China building villages on disputed Bhutan border

Beijing, February 19

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China is reportedly pressing ahead with the construction of border villages in the disputed territory with Bhutan, despite the ongoing border talks between the two countries. At least three villages have been built in the mountainous region separating the two countries, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Sunday.

The rapid expansion began as a poverty alleviation scheme but serves a dual national security role, the report quoted the ruling Chinese Communist Party officials as saying.

In a disputed remote village inside a border zone that has long been disputed by China and Bhutan, 18 new residents were waiting to enter their newly built houses.