The Only Neighboring Country That Has Not Established Diplomatic Relations With China, Its Capital Is Only 45 Kilometers Away From China And It Was Once Chinese Territory.
The Only Neighboring Country That Has Not Established Diplomatic Relations With China, Its Capital Is Only 45 Kilometers Away From China And It Was Once Chinese Territory.
This treaty stipulates that Bhutan's foreign policy must be guided by India. This makes it difficult for this mountain kingdom located on the plateau to gain real autonomy in foreign affairs. All movements seem to have to take into account India's face. Throughout history
A kingdom shrouded in mist, a hidden neighbor
After traveling for about 45 kilometers through the winding mountain roads of Yadong County in Tibet, you can get a glimpse of a town hidden in the sea of clouds. This is Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, the only neighboring country in the world that has not established diplomatic relations with China. This mysterious country known as the "Thunder Dragon Kingdom" has a deep relationship with China that has been constantly cut and confused.
A careful exploration of the long river of history reveals that the connection between Bhutan and China is far longer and closer than people imagine.
Dating back to the distant Yuan Dynasty, Bhutan has been brought under the effective administrative jurisdiction of Tibet and was governed by the eminent monks of the Sakya Sect at that time. By the Qing Dynasty, Bhutan had close ties with the central government, and Emperor Yongzheng even granted him the title of "Noyan". In the "Tongzhi of Weizang" written in the 18th century, Bhutan is clearly recorded as a vassal land of Tibet.
This long-standing suzerain-vassal relationship lasted until the end of the Qing Dynasty. However, the situation changed. At the beginning of the 19th century, the British colonists intervened and supported Uyen Wangchuk to launch a coup and established a hereditary monarchy. This largely severed the traditional connection between Bhutan and the Qing government. Despite this, many ancient temples in Bhutan today still treasure the decrees of Phaspa, the master of the Yuan Dynasty, and the seals given by the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. They silently tell the story of the past glory and bond.
So, why is Bhutan today the only neighbor among neighboring countries that has failed to establish diplomatic relations with China? The key to this lies in the Treaty of Permanent Peace and Friendship signed in 1949. This treaty stipulates that Bhutan's foreign policy must be guided by India. This makes it difficult for this mountain kingdom located on the plateau to gain real autonomy in foreign affairs. All movements seem to have to take into account India's face.
Although the two countries signed the "Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility in the China-Bhutan Border Areas" in 1998, Indian officials can always be seen in every border meeting between the two sides. This special tripartite relationship constitutes a unique landscape in the complicated geopolitical landscape of South Asia.
India's influence on Bhutan has penetrated into almost every aspect. Most of the equipment of the Bhutanese army is provided by India, and 70% of its military expenditures also rely on Indian assistance. The more critical economic lifeline, Bhutan's largest hydropower project, the Tara Hydropower Station, was built with investment from India. Up to 80% of the power generated is exported to India, which also constitutes Bhutan's main source of external income.
The military confrontation between China and India in the Doklam area in 2017 occurred in a disputed area close to the China-Bhutan border, which illustrates the subtleties of geopolitics. However, in recent years, Bhutan appears to be actively seeking greater autonomy. In 2021, the two countries agreed on a "three-step" road map on the border issue. This was the first time the two countries negotiated the border issue without the presence of a third party.
Although official diplomatic relations have not yet been established, people-to-people exchanges between China and Bhutan have never been interrupted. Bhutan imports a large amount of daily necessities from China's Tibet region every year. Chinese smartphones and various home appliances are very popular in the local market. During his visit to India in 2019, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshelin clearly stated that Bhutan has the right to handle its foreign affairs independently. This statement was widely interpreted by the outside world as a signal that Bhutan seeks independent diplomatic autonomy.
What is even more interesting is that there is still a profound cultural identity between the two countries. The Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the state religion of Bhutan, has the same roots as Tibet. Every year, a large number of Bhutanese monks make pilgrimages to Lhasa. The National Library in Thimphu houses hundreds of Buddhist classics from China.
Throughout history, Bhutan is like a "son of the dragon" caught between two major civilizations. On the one hand, it is eager to retain its unique cultural heritage, but on the other hand, it is difficult to completely escape the fetters of reality. However, with the further advancement of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative and the continuous evolution of the South Asian landscape, this ancient and mysterious kingdom is actively looking for a new balance point.
Perhaps in the near future, when the bells of Thimphu ring melodiously again, this neighboring country only 45 kilometers away from China will finally break through the mists of history and shake hands with its neighbors on this ancient land connected by mountains and rivers. After all, geographical proximity and historical ties are far-reaching and often go beyond political treaties.
