China has a long history and vast territory, with cultural heritage and geographical features that are unmatched by other countries in the world.
However, before the founding of the People's Republic of China, many of China's territories suffered from foreign aggression and occupation.
With the establishment of the new China, most of these territories were recovered, but there are still a few areas under the control of other countries.
Today, we discuss Ladakh, which is currently controlled by India, but there is no doubt that China has never given up its sovereignty claims over it.
Although Ladakh has a sparse population, its area is vast, equivalent to about 17 Shanghais in size.
Located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Ladakh is bordered to the north by the Kunlun Mountains and to the south by the Himalayas, with rugged terrain.
The average altitude of Ladakh ranges from 3000 to 6000 meters, covering an area of approximately 450,000 square kilometers.
While this number may be difficult to comprehend, it can be likened to the area of seven Shanghais.
Despite its vast land, Ladakh has a very small population. In comparison, Shanghai has a population of 25 million, while Ladakh has only about 250,000 people, with each person having an average of 1800 square kilometers of land, making it a sparsely populated area.
The main residents of Ladakh are Tibetan people who speak Tibetan and share similar lifestyles and ethnic beliefs with Tibetans in China.
The capital of Ladakh, Leh, even has a building similar to the Potala Palace in Tibet, hence it is known as "Little Tibet."
Due to its high altitude, Ladakh has a dry climate, extreme temperature differences between day and night, and thin air. In winter, temperatures can drop to minus 35 degrees Celsius, while in summer, they can rise to plus 35 degrees Celsius.
Ladakh is wedged between two high mountains, with steep terrain and strong winds, resulting in very little rainfall that is unevenly distributed, making survival conditions extremely harsh.
From ancient times to the present, Ladakh has always been a part of China with deep cultural and historical connections to Tibet.
During the Tang Dynasty, Turpan invaded Ladakh, but later Ladakh became part of the Yuan Dynasty.
During the Qing Dynasty, Ladakh was administratively unified with Tibet.
However, in 1819, Jammu began to invade Ladakh, eventually controlling the region and making it part of its territory.
In 1841, Jammu also attempted to expand its influence into Tibet, leading to conflicts with the Qing Dynasty.
In 1846, in collusion with the British, Jammu annexed Ladakh to Kashmir, which later became part of British India, altering Ladakh's sovereignty.
Despite multiple historical divisions and changes, China has never recognized these divisions, maintaining that Ladakh has always been Chinese territory.
Today, with its strengthened national strength, China has reclaimed most of its occupied territories, significantly improving the living standards of its people.
However, Ladakh, controlled by India, has not benefited from these developments, remaining economically backward with inadequate infrastructure and extremely harsh living conditions.
Therefore, the people of Ladakh aspire to return to their motherland and develop together with other regions, living better lives.
In conclusion, despite its sparse population, Ladakh cannot be ignored due to its geographical location and cultural value.
China will continue to strive to recover lost territories, ensuring national territorial integrity and the well-being of its people.
While originally a symbol of utopia, Ladakh has endured wars and its residents face difficult living conditions.
Reflecting on the lost territories during the Qing Dynasty, we deeply understand the importance of territorial integrity to the nation.
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