Because they're trying so desperately to cover up their humiliation. The Indian side will take any minor event and turn it into a propaganda victory for themselves. In 1962, they got completely thrashed by the PLA but invented the narrative of how they "bravely" killed 1300 soldiers at Rezang La to glorify these so-called martyrs (despite how the skirmish lasted 5 minutes), and thereby lessening the emphasis on their military disaster.
That is my exact point. The Indian side deliberately inflated Chinese casualties to serve their propaganda purposes. Only 722 Chinese soldiers died during the war and this is agreed upon by both Chinese and Western experts.
China may choose to pause construction, or they may choose not to. They can build at any convenient time. The freedom is with China. But once India pulled out, it's permanent. They know they got in by ambushing unarmed construction workers; they know they can't stay long, and they know that when road-building resumes, the PLA will be there on guard. China really let India get away with its face intact this time, though China gave away nothing at all and safe-guarded its sovereignty just fine
You know, at first, I was really keen on the idea of wresting Bhutan away from India as an F U gesture. But now that I think about it, if Bhutan wants billions and billions in support every year, what does it have to offer China in return? ($10 billion supposedly buys ~100 J-20, btw. What could Bhutan possibly offer China that's worth 100 J-20... per year?) If it's going to be a useless yet expensive ally, wouldn't it be better if it were on India's bankroll? LOL
LOL not sure how to quote the German expression from the above post so that somebody doesn't quote it as "Jura said ..."
Yeah but that one rock throw and flying kick has been seen by millions around the world and especially in India where their trolls are psychologically butt hurt about it.