India is still finding its feet on how to deal with China even after the communist nation assaulted Indian soldiers with iron-studded clubs and threatens to wage a war on a daily basis.

On October 1, China National Day, <em>The Hindu</em> newspaper devoted one-page to propaganda by the Chinese embassy. The advertorial had a message by Ambassador Sun Weidong, an article on China’s achievements during 2020 and another write-up on China’s fight against Covid.

At the diplomatic level, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar greeted Wang Yi, his Chinese counterpart, on Twitter: “Extend my felicitations to State Councilor &amp; FM Wang Yi and the Government and People of PRC on the 71st anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China." In remarkable contrast, the US released a highly critical report on China with a number of solutions to curb its aggression towards its land and sea neighbors.

The US report said that the communist country has violated the sovereignty of other nations, conducted a military build-up and has engaged in fatal skirmishes to grab land on the Indian border. The Congressional report released on Wednesday advocates “decisive action against China.”

The China Task Force of the House of Republicans, released one day before the Chinese National Day, says that in just one year the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has continued with repression of ethnic minorities like the Tibetans and Ughyurs, dismantled freedoms and liberty in Hong Kong, as well as violated the sovereignty of its sea neighbors. The report also mentions that China has launched new territorial claims on Bhutan.

As part of solutions to tackle the growing Chinese aggression, the US report also highlights a proposal by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to address disruption in 5G mobile communication and supply chains by forming a coalition of democratic countries including India. Such an effort by liberal nations will not only reduce dependence on China for vital technologies but also impact its economy.

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In Hong Kong, a protestor was shot dead and many injured as the police opened fire at many places and used tear gas on people protesting the China National Day. Dozens of people were arrested for seeking repeal of laws curbing freedom. An Indian even unfurled the tricolor during the Hong Kong protests. Last year, during the Chinese National Day in 2019, activists in Hong Kong had initiated anti-China protests which lasted over seven months. This time the protests have been replaced with State-managed celebrations.

The China National Day has managed to attract the ire of activists who organized global protests. International <strong><a href="https://www.now.world/fridaysforfreedom">activist organization Fridays for Freedom</a> </strong>marshalled people globally against Chinese repression in Hong Kong. Rallying people across the world, it said: “Tibet. Xinjiang. Hong Kong. And the list goes on. China has been cracking down with an iron fist on any kind of dissent both in mainland China and outside. This has to stop!”

Through their Wave of Freedom campaign, the activists are pushing people in the democratic world to counter China's crackdown on dissent and stand with the oppressed in Hong Kong, Tibet, East Turkistan and Taiwan.

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Chairman Mao Zedong had proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, after the Communists won the prolonged 20-year civil war. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who declared himself Leader for Life and sees himself in the image of Mao, has not made the world any comfortable through his aggressive posturing over the last six years.

The spread of coronavirus, whose origins remains mysterious and much-debated; the offensive in the South China Sea against Vietnam and other countries; the violations of the air space against Taiwan and the violation of marine boundaries of Japan have served to heighten global suspicions against China.

This is not to mention the barbaric ambush of Indian soldiers by club-wielding Chinese troops who were eventually beaten back across the Chinese border at Galwan Valley. On the Chinese National Day, India finds tens of thousands of Chinese troops with heavy weapons ready for an offensive.

Amidst casualties and a war-like atmosphere created by China since April this year, India is still to shed its over-half-a-century old paralysis in its strategic thinking concerning China. The Indian leadership is still to realize that by appeasing a bully you end up strengthening one. The messaging over the Chinese National Day is one such example..