1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

Speaking on the issue, His Majesty the King said that the Royal Government
had issued strict instructions to the people of Haa not to pay anything to the
Tibetan yak herders demanding payment from them for using the traditional
pastures along the northern border. As such, no Bhutanese herders had been
giving any form of payment to the Tibetans in the area for utilizing the
traditional pasture lands.
During the 14 th round of border talks held in China the Bhutanese delegation
had further extended the claim line in three areas in Doklam, Sinchulumba and
Dramana. From Doklam the claim line has been extended to include the areas
along Sinchulumba to Pangkala and from Dramana to Giu Chhu.
China is one of the largest countries in the world with Tibet alone having an
area of 1,240,000 sq.km. In comparison, Bhutan is a very small country which
has an area of less than 40,000 sq.km. In view of this, although the land
claimed in the disputed areas is very small it is important for Bhutan.
The land in the Doklam, Sinchulumba and Dramana sectors is of vital
importance to the Bhutanese people who depend on their yak herds for their
livelihood. The Lhengye Zhungtshog had decided last year that the claim line
in these areas should be extended as much as possible. The negotiations on the
extended claim line will be continued when the Chinese delegation comes to
Thimphu this year.
His Majesty expressed his confidence that a large and powerful country like
China will not remain inflexible on the modest boundary claims of a small
neighbour like Bhutan.
The National Assembly noted that as a result of the negotiations conducted
during the boundary talks held over many years between Bhutan and China,
Bhutan has been able to stake its claim lines which must be extended as much
as possible. The house directed the members of the Bhutanese delegation to
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