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Bhutan–China relations

Bhutan–China relations are the international relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the People's Republic of China. As of present, Bhutan and China do not share an official diplomatic relationship with one another. Nevertheless, unofficial ties exist.

Historically, Bhutan has followed a path of isolationism and non-alignment extending from the Cold War era to the present day. Bhutan's lack of formal diplomatic relations extend far beyond China; Bhutan does not have an official diplomatic relationship with any of the other four permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations, Bhutan adheres to the one-China policy, recognizing the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China and supporting China's position on issues such as Taiwan and Tibet.

Geographically, Bhutan is sandwiched between the two neighbouring states of India to the south and China to the north and northeast. The Bhutan–China border runs approximately 477 km across very mountainous Himalayan terrain, connecting northern regions of Bhutan on the south of the border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China north of the border. The Bhutan–China border is porous and poorly demarcated, and has been a source of long running tension between the two states. Territorial disputes with Bhutan have been a source of potential conflict. Since 1984, the two governments have conducted regular talks on border and security issues to reduce tensions.

Background

Bhutan has long had strong cultural, historical, religious, and economic connections to Tibet. Bhutan was a tributary state of the Qing dynasty. The Republic of China officially maintains a territorial claim on parts of Bhutan. Relations with Tibet were strained when China took over Tibet in the 1950s. Unlike Tibet, Bhutan had no history of being under the suzerainty or direct rule of China but fell under British suzerainty during the British Raj following the Treaty of Punakha in 1910.

Bhutan's border with Tibet has never been officially demarcated. The territorial claim was maintained by the People's Republic of China after the Chinese Communist Party took control of mainland China in the Chinese Civil War. With the increase in soldiers on the Chinese side of the Sino-Bhutanese border after the 17-point agreement between the Tibetan government and the central government of the PRC, Bhutan withdrew its representative from Lhasa.{{Cite web | access-date = May 29, 2008 | archive-date = 5 March 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220305221025/http://www.ipcs.org/article/bhutan/elections-in-the-himalayan-kingdom-new-dawn-of-india-bhutan-2540.html | url-status = live

The 1959 Tibetan uprising and the 14th Dalai Lama's arrival in neighboring India made the security of Bhutan's border with China a necessity for Bhutan. An estimated 6,000 Tibetans fled to Bhutan and were granted asylum, although Bhutan subsequently closed its northern border with China, fearing more refugees.

Bhutan–China relations are constrained also by Bhutan's close relationship with India. Nonetheless, relations with China have improved following China's Belt and Road Initiative. Generally, Bhutan seeks balance with its larger neighbors China and India in order to avoid dependency on either country.

History

Bhutan has historical ties to Tibet through their culture, history, religion, and economy. However, their relationship became tense after Bhutan supported the British Empire and the British invasion of Tibet. With the signing of an agreement between the People's Republic of China and the Tibetan locals, and the deployment of troops on the border between China and Bhutan, Bhutan withdrew its representatives in the People's Republic of China from Lhasa. After the 1959 Tibetan riots and the arrival of the Dalai Lama in neighbouring India, some 6,000 Tibetans fled to Bhutan and were granted asylum. Bhutan closed its border with China, afraid that there would be more refugees.

Boundary issues

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 2022 to begin the process of settling the border. In 2023, Bhutanese foreign minister Tandi Dorji met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng where both sides indicated hopes to resolve the border dispute and develop formal ties.

In 2025, Bhutan referred to Tibet as "Xizang" in an official statement, sparking criticism from Tibetan groups alleging that the term erases Tibetan identity.

Mitigation

In 1974, Bhutan invited Ma Muming, chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in India, to attend the coronation of the fourth Bhutanese King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. In 1983, Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian and Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dawa Tsering held talks in New York on establishing bilateral relations. In 1984, China and Bhutan began direct negotiations on the border dispute.

In 1998, China and Bhutan signed an Agreement to Maintain Peace and Tranquility on the Bhutan–China border. The two sides also proposed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. However, China later built roads in the territory claimed by Bhutan, and China was accused of violating the agreement and provoking tension. In 2024, The New York Times reported that, according to satellite imagery, China had constructed villages inside of disputed territory within Bhutan. Chinese individuals, called "border guardians," received annual subsidies to relocate to newly built villages and paid to conduct border patrols. At least 22 Chinese villages and settlements have been constructed inside of disputed territory.

References

References

  1. Kaul, Nitasha. (2022-04-28). "Beyond India and China: Bhutan as a Small State in International Relations". [[International Relations of the Asia–Pacific]].
  2. (November 2, 2023). "China and Bhutan aim to resolve a long-running border dispute". [[The Economist]].
  3. Wade, Samuel. (2012-06-23). "China, Bhutan Ready for Diplomatic Relations".
  4. (2025-07-21). "Bhutan – The World Factbook".
  5. (2024-11-05). "China is building new villages on its remote Himalayan border. Some appear to have crossed the line".
  6. Barnett, Robert. (May 7, 2021). "China Is Building Entire Villages in Another Country's Territory". [[Foreign Policy]].
  7. Ethirajan, Anbarasan. (2023-04-27). "Bhutan wants a border deal with China: Will India accept?". [[BBC News]].
  9. . (2010-09-26). ["由钓鱼岛故事想到清代中国的藩属国"](https://city.udn.com/3011/4192243?tpno=48&cate_no=0).
  10. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0079) Bhutan - China relations] {{Webarchive. link. (2017-08-03 Accessed 30 May 2008.)
  11. Balaji, Mohan. (January 12, 2008). "In Bhutan, China and India collide". [[Asia Times]].
  12. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profile/54627.stm Bhutan: a land frozen in time] (9 February 1998). BBC. Accessed May 30, 2008.
  13. Kelegama, Saman. (2016). "The New Great Game: China and South and Central Asia in the Era of Reform". [[Stanford University Press]].
  14. Alfred, Gerstl. (2023). "Contemporary China: a New Superpower?". [[Routledge]].
  15. Balaji, Mohan. (January 12, 2008). "In Bhutan, China and India collide". Asia Times Online.
  16. M Shamsur Rabb Khan. (8 April 2008). "Elections in the Himalayan Kingdom: New Dawn of India–Bhutan Relations". Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies.
  17. "Bhutan: a land frozen in time".
  18. Singh, Swaran. (2016). "The new great game : China and South and Central Asia in the era of reform". [[Stanford University Press]].
  19. "Bhutan–China relations".
  20. Garlick, Jeremy. (2024). "Advantage China: Agent of Change in an Era of Global Disruption". [[Bloomsbury Academic]].
  21. (2024-03-29). "China and Bhutan aim to resolve a long-running border dispute". The Economist.
  22. Pema, Tenzin. (March 28, 2025). "Bhutan’s refers to Tibet as Beijing-preferred ‘Xizang,’ sparking pushback". [[Radio Free Asia]].
  23. Balaji, Mohan. (Jan 12, 2008). "In Bhutan, China and India collide". [[Asia Times]].
  24. [http://www.himalmag.com/2007/may/analysis_india_bhutan_relation.htm India and the upcoming Druk democracy] {{Webarchive. link. (2008-01-13 (May 2007). HimalMag.com. Accessed May 30, 2008.)
  25. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230117005610/http://bhutangazette.com/2007/06/07/growing-china-bhutan-relations-and-the-changing-strategic-equations-in-south-asia/ Bhutan Gazette] (7 June 2007). BhutanGazette. They were accessed on May 30, 2008.
  26. (2024-08-10). "China's Great Wall of Villages". [[The New York Times]].
  27. (2024-10-15). "Forceful Diplomacy: China's Cross-Border Villages in Bhutan".
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