State-backed mouthpiece Global Times said China must be prepared to go to war if India “crosses its bottom line” in a long-running dispute over their Himalayan border.

In an editorial piece published just past Tuesday’s midnight, the tabloid asserted that China was several times stronger than India in terms of military prowess and warned India against “colluding with the United States”.

“When India recklessly challenges China’s bottom line, China must not be soft. It must take military actions when necessary and ensure it can win.”

“India is no match for China,” it continued. “We must smash any illusion that India can deal with China by colluding with other powers, such as the U.S.”

The article called India “a typical opportunist” as shown in its border issue with China. “The history of Asia and the world has told us that opportunists tend to bully the weak while fearing the strong.”

The commentary came a day after the two countries each issued a statement accusing each other of military provocation and violating sovereign territory amid escalating tensions, following months of standoff between the neighbors.

On Monday, India’s defense ministry said China’s People’s Liberation Army had carried out “provocative military movements to change the status quo” on the southern bank of Pangong Lake in Ladakh.

The PLA warned, hours later, that it would take necessary counter measures.

Senior Colonel Zhang Shuili blamed India for breaking “the promises and consensus reached by two sides after rounds of dialogue.” He alleged Indian troops for crossing the Line of Actual Control in the Galwan Valley region and attacking Chinese soldiers.

“We demand India to immediately withdraw troops that had illegally intruded the Chinese border. We also urge the Indian side to stop all provocative actions and strictly control frontline troops to avoid further escalation,” said Zhang in the statement.

“The Chinese army is taking all necessary measures to cope with the situation and will firmly defend China’s sovereignty and territory,” the Western Theater Command spokesperson added.

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