Team News Riveting
In yet another attempt to keep its house in order in the aftermath of 2020 Galwan valley clash with the Indian soldiers, China has deputed a regiment commander injured in the conflict as torchbearer of Beijing Winter Olympic.
“Qi Fabao, a PLA regiment commander who sustained head injury while fighting bravely in the #Galwan Valley border skirmish with #India, is a torchbearer during Wed’s #Beijing2022 Winter Olympic Torch Relay,” China’s state-owned newspaper The Global Times reported.
Qi Fabao had suffered a head injury during the Galwan Valley clash on June 15, 2020, in which 20 Indian soldiers and around 45 Chinese troops (unofficial toll) were killed.
China has officially put the PLA toll at 5 after trying to cover up the incident. It had initially put the figure, that too after months of the clash, at four.
The impact on Chinese authorities was so severe that it had to announce “honours” for its soldier months after India declared military awards for its brave-hearts that gave befitting reply to PLA soldiers after border skirmish.
Qi Fabao, the regimental commander from the PLA Xinjiang Military Command, was among the one who was given the title of “Heroic regimental commander for defending the border.”
According to defence experts, Chinese authorities have been facing stern reaction from the family members of the PLA soldiers killed in the clash. They are desperately trying to put the things in order at home.
Qi carrying the flame at Winter Olympic Park is seen in the same series.
As per the Chinese media, around 1,200 torchbearers will carry the flame for the Winter Olympic Games and there are about 600 torchbearers for the Paralympic Games.
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics torch relay is being held from February 2 to 4 before the Games commence on February 4.
