Wolf warrior diplomacy by China has been a topic of various media attention through the years. It was adopted as public diplomacy in the late 2010s and seems to encompass a number of foreign policy directives by Beijing. It has been outlined in the annual reports of the US Department of Defense to the Congress titled “Military and Security Developments Involving The People’s Republic of China” which is issued annually by the Pentagon, with the latest issue regarding 2024 released in October 2024.
One of the aspects, which remains relatively neglected, is the creation of Chinese villages outside its territory (as per internationally recognized borders). The greatest example are the villages constructed within the territory of Bhutan. The establishments were the result of a carefully crafted strategically targeted policy and not the result of a single incursion or random trespassing. They are all in territories, which China claims as their own without any explanation why this is the case.
While the policy started more than 30 years ago, the success of the foundation steps for it allowed for a greater visible increase in recent years and it deserves more attention in the media. The villages are set at high altitudes in mostly barren lands with little resources, use primarily Tibetans, rather than Han Chinese (over 99%) and have so far built very unified buildings, the state funding for which does not make any economic sense both for the state and for the local population.

The proximity to the Doklam plateau, however, changes the perspective. Should China manage to control the areas on the western side of Bhutan, then it will have a significant advantage in taking control over the Doklam plateau in a possible confrontation with India. Losing control there could mean that India can lose control in Sikkim and the so called “Chicken neck” – the narrow passage connecting the Seven Sister states (the North-east of India, encompassing Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura) thus imposing a major national security risk for the whole area.
The creation of the villages took place in 6 stages:
1) Cross border grazing by Tibetan herders. Started in 1993 and various altercations with Bhutanese herders were reported, when as a result the Bhutanese were pushed out.
2) Construction of small huts and shelters. This allowed some of the Tibetan herders to find ways to spend the winters in the inhospitable terrain. Took place in 1995.
3) Military foot patrols. Small units of volunteers started the creation of mule tracks and it started in 1999.
4) Creation of permanent duty points and improvised outposts, guarded by military or volunteer units.
5) Construction of roads – first leveling and creation of dirt roads, consequently asphalted paved roads built by engineers and road-working equipment. Commenced in 2004.
6) Construction of villages – a number of villages in levelled areas, consisting of at least one bigger central administrative building and a number of uniformed smaller residential / storage / military buildings. Commenced in 2016.
This is clearly an issue, which needs more attention. The report uses the public domain and is influenced by the great work done by Robert Barnett in his extensive report "Forceful Diplomacy: China’s Cross-Border Villages in Bhutan". So far China continues with its steps south and even advertises the push to populate the villages on national media. The volunteers are given massive attention going to absurd lengths, such as the case of one patrolling soldier described as a hero as he selflessly suffered a sprained ankle trekking a path. India has been pressing for a more direct push back, while Bhutan seems to have decided to not rock the boat.
Since the topic looks obscure to many and is often described as either conspiracy theories or an issue of marginal importance, this report will just publish the locations of each village with links to Google Maps, so that the latest satellite imagery can be viewed through any browser. The historical development can be observed in Google Earth (View --> Historical Imagery ) at their links. Additionally, RapidEditor.org can be used to observe all mentioned locations and paths associated with that.
Villages in Western Bhutan
Pangda - 2,129 m altitude - residential blocks: 34; houses: 40; public buildings: 3; work buildings: 5 Location: 27°18'26.9"N 89°00'27.0"E; 27.3074830, 89.0074939; Google Maps; Google Earth; RapidEditor
This is the tweet by @shen_shiwei which has now been deleted. The location of the village clearly marked in the map he included. pic.twitter.com/6f09ulZXlz
— Vishnu Som (@VishnuNDTV) November 19, 2020
View of Pangda Village in Shigatse City, Xizang of China. pic.twitter.com/nZ51PyeNGP
— Barkhor Lhasa (@BarkhorLhasa) March 1, 2024
Pangda Village once again ushered in new immigrants.
— Peter168 (@peter16813) January 9, 2023
the second batch of new immigrants, a total of 57 Tibetans moved from a plateau at an altitude of 4,300 meters to Pangda Village at an altitude of less than 2,000 meters,which located at the bank of Amo Chu river. pic.twitter.com/1OId5Eswkd
Pangda 2 - 2,190 m altitude - residential blocks: 38; houses: 56; public buildings: 1; work buildings: 5 Location: 27°19'20.3"N 89°00'22.5"E; 27.3223087, 89.0062486; Google Maps; Google Earth; RapidEditor
Langmapu - 3,595 m altitude - residential blocks: 42; houses: 186; public buildings: 10; work buildings: 17 Location: 27°28'41.0"N 89°00'48.2"E ; 27.47806, 89.01340; Google Maps; Google Earth; RapidEditor
Banggala - 4,242 m altitude - residential blocks: 52; houses: 116; public buildings: 3; work buildings: 16 Location: 27°29'48.5"N 89°00'39.2"E ;27.4968, 89.0109; Google Maps; Google Earth; RapidEditor
Chamapu (Sairubu) - 4,094 m altitude - residential blocks: 47; houses: 182; public buildings: 6; work buildings: 22 Location: 27°31'55.5"N 89°01'45.3"E ;27.5320709, 89.0292587; Google Maps; Google Earth; RapidEditor
Jiwu (Caitangga) - 4,336 m altitude - residential blocks: 88; houses: 330; public buildings: 12; work buildings: 15 Location: 27°34'01.4"N 89°04'54.8"E; 27.5670448, 89.0818798; Google Maps; Google Earth; RapidEditor
Qulei - 4,286 m altitude - residential blocks: 62; houses: 216; public buildings: 10; work buildings: 12 Location: 27°36'19.9"N 89°06'10.1"E; 27.6055256, 89.1027914; Google Maps; Google Earth; RapidEditor
Qulei South-East - 4,385 m altitude - residential blocks: 31; houses: 113; public buildings: 3; work buildings: 9 Location: 27°35'53.7"N 89°06'57.6"E; 27.59824, 89.11600; Google Maps; Google Earth; RapidEditor