China recently said that four soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were killed after a confrontation with Indian troops earlier in 2020. China said it was releasing the statement to clear up the lies released by the Indian government.
The fight happened at the highly controversial Himalayan border. The fight is regarded as one of the most heated incidents between the two countries in 40+ years. The Indian government said 20 Indian soldiers died in the skirmish.
The dead Chinese soldiers were given awards for their bravery
A Chinese newspaper released the names of the soldiers that died during the fight. The newspaper also said that Chen Hongjun, Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan and Wang Zhuoran were given awards to honor their role in protecting the border.
Another award was awarded to Qi Fabao, the regimental commander part of the PLA Xinjiang Military Command. He was reportedly injured during the fight and was hospitalized.
The Chinese state-run newspaper described the Indian soldiers as "foreign military" that went against the agreement between India and China by setting up tents on the Chinese side of the border. The media also added that the fight happened when the Indian side sent more soldiers to the border after refusing to negotiate with the Chinese troops.
Both countries blame each other for the fight
The Indian military has refuted the claims of the Chinese government, stating that the crash was caused by a Chinese tent that was erected at the Indian side of the border.
The representative said that PLA soldiers attacked Indian troops with stones and bamboo sticks after they tore down the illegally erected tent.
Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Government, said the Indian government is "distorting the truth, misleading international public opinion and slandering the Chinese officers and soldiers in the frontier forces."
According to satellite images, Chinese troops have reportedly withdrawn from the border.