How significant is the qinghai-tibet railway to China's military on the Tibet border?

Re: How significant is the qinghai-tibet railway to China's military on the Tibet bor

placing sentry on all of the railroad is infeasible --
the environment and supply is going to be a hardship to the troops involved.
And it's also an inefficient use of the troops.

What is more likely to happen is garrison on major structure like the bridges, and regular air patrol with helicopters or small planes. Once the sabotages are detected, the commandos are dead as they cannot get far (as they are on foot), and they can be tracked with dogs, for example.

Re: How significant is the qinghai-tibet railway to China's military on the Tibet bor

yes the sentries were a political show at the time, not a real military tactic. in war time china wil likely mobilize the population (like we already mobilized tibetans as caretakers of the railroad) to keep watch all over the country. tibet is small population but the railroad does pass through the more populated areas. likely there will be civilian sentries backed up by rapid response reconnaisance companies. it's not going to be like usa-mexico border with hit and run stuff. china intends to keep constant watch so commandos never even get to their target in first place.

Re: How significant is the qinghai-tibet railway to China's military on the Tibet bor

Sorry for my ignorance, but there are 20 million militia in China? That figure is quite unbelieveable and if that is true, what training do they receive?

As to mobilizing the citizen to take care of whatever assets, are these citizens trained? How to they fare against well trained soldiers such as commandoes and stuffs?

Hope not to offend anyone here.

Thanks in advance.

Re: How significant is the qinghai-tibet railway to China's military on the Tibet bor

according to public sources, Chinese paramilitary is about 4 million:

Re: How significant is the qinghai-tibet railway to China's military on the Tibet bor

Actually I was more woried about the rail bridges. I assume those will take longer to rebuilt. Basing on what you said, basically using the railways will not be an option after hostility start yes? Any "reinforced railways" out there in use that can withstand more bombing attacks?

Re: How significant is the qinghai-tibet railway to China's military on the Tibet bor

There are limits to the damage that can be caused by the amount of explosives that can be carried by commandos on feet, which means will probably take a relatively short amount of time to fix.

Re: How significant is the qinghai-tibet railway to China's military on the Tibet bor

protecting the railway imo, is a waste of resources if china is going for the gun. the railway would already serve it purpose of mobilization and supply stocking.

tibet is diffcult for both sides to access, so i don't think china need to keep the railway open 24/7 to win, if india waste resources going after it, they will have less option against the main chinese force.

it is just going to be another fruitless comfrontation for both sides. (-__-")