China is the world’s most populous country with over 1.4 billion people. It shares international land borders with 14 sovereign states. In total, China has a land border measuring 22,117 km (13,743 mi).
China’s vast size and central position in Asia means it interacts with many neighbors. Understanding China’s borders helps appreciate its geography, history, and international relations.
Quick Overview
Here are some key facts about China’s land borders:
- China shares a border with 14 countries.
- The total length of China’s land border is 22,117 km (13,743 mi).
- China’s borders touch more countries than any other nation except Russia.
- China shares borders with North Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.
- The shortest border is with Afghanistan at 76 km (47 mi). The longest is with Mongolia at 4,677 km (2,903 mi).
- Due to disputed regions, border lengths vary slightly by source.
- China shares a tiny undemarcated border with North Korea.
- China has resolved most border disputes but still contests regions like Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh with India.
This gives a brief overview of key facts. Now let’s look at China’s bordering countries in more detail.
List of Countries That Border China
Here is the full list of 14 countries that have a land border with China, starting from the east and moving west:
- North Korea
- Russia
- Mongolia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- India
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Myanmar
- Laos
- Vietnam
1. North Korea
China and North Korea share a 1,416 km (880 mi) border along the Korean Peninsula. The Chinese provinces of Jilin and Liaoning border North Korea. The border follows the course of the Yalu and Tumen Rivers.
A small section of the border remains undemarcated. The exact border through the estuary of the Yalu and Tumen Rivers has never been formally delimited.
China and North Korea enjoy friendly relations, though ties have been strained at times. During the Korean War, China came to North Korea’s aid against UN forces. Trade and cultural exchanges continue between the long-time allies today.
2. Russia
China and Russia share a 4,209 km (2,615 mi) border making it China’s longest land border. It separates China from Siberia. The Chinese provinces of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Heilongjiang share a frontier with Russia.
Sino-Russian relations have improved dramatically since the Cold War. While border disputes flared in the past, most have been resolved through bilateral treaties. Land transport corridors across the border facilitate trade.
3. Mongolia
Mongolia has a 4,677 km (2,903 mi) border with China, making it China’s second longest land border. The border separates Mongolia from China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Gansu province. Approximately two-thirds follows mountain ranges while one-third passes through the Gobi Desert.
Mongolia serves as a strategic buffer state between China and Russia. Despite past tensions, modern Sino-Mongolian relations are amicable with growing economic cooperation.
4. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and China share a 1,765 km (1,097 mi) border that was formally delimited in 1994. It separates China’s Xinjiang region from eastern Kazakhstan. The border passes through the Dzungarian Gate, a historically important gateway in the Dzungarian Alatau Mountains.
Kazakhstan, like other Central Asian states, has growing ties with China based on trade, transport, and energy links. China sees Kazakhstan as vital to its Belt and Road Initiative.
5. Kyrgyzstan
China and Kyrgyzstan share an 858 km (533 mi) border. China’s Xinjiang province borders Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk Kul, Naryn and Osh regions. About three-quarters of the border follows mountain ranges while the rest traverses deserts and valleys.
As a Central Asian republic, Kyrgyzstan maintains friendly relations with China. This facilitates regional trade through roads and railways crossing the border.
6. Tajikistan
China and Tajikistan share a 414 km (257 mi) border high in the remote Pamir Mountains. The border separates China’s Xinjiang province from Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.
The two countries resolved border demarcation issues in 2011. Tajikistan relies on road and rail links across its border with China for trade.
7. Afghanistan
China shares a tiny 76 km (47 mi) border with Afghanistan’s remote Wakhan Corridor. where South Xinjiang meets the Afghan province of Badakhshan. The inhospitable high-mountain terrain includes the Karakoram and Pamir ranges.
China has taken a diplomatic interest in Afghanistan, seeking greater stability and countering extremism that might affect Xinjiang. But direct relations remain limited due to the tiny shared border and difficult terrain.
8. Pakistan
The China-Pakistan border measures 523 km (325 mi) in length. It separates China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from Pakistan controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The Karakoram Highway crosses the border via the Khunjerab Pass.
China and Pakistan enjoy longstanding strategic relations dating from the Cold War. Recent initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) aim to improve connectivity and economic ties.
9. India
The China-India border stretches for 3,488 km (2,167 mi) making it China’s second longest land border. It separates Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang from India’s Jammu and Kashmir and states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Despite ongoing border disputes, relations have stabilized with growing China-India trade. Still, the border remains sensitive with occasional standoffs between Chinese and Indian forces.
10. Nepal
Nepal and China share a 1,236 km (768 mi) border. The border separates Nepal from China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. The Himalayas define most of this frontier, including formidable peaks like Mount Everest.
China and Nepal have amicable ties. Nepal seeks Chinese investment in areas like infrastructure. The border hosts major overland trade routes like the Arniko Highway.
11. Bhutan
China and Bhutan have a 477 km (296 mi) border separating eastern Tibet from western Bhutan. The border spans Himalayan peaks like 7,570 m Jomolhari.
China and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, reflecting historical tensions. Nonetheless, the border remains peaceful with agreements on frontier trade and transit rights.
12. Myanmar
Myanmar shares a 2,129 km (1,321 mi) border with China’s Yunnan province and Tibet Autonomous Region. Mountain ranges and the Salween River demarcate parts of the border.
China has cultivated friendly ties with Myanmar. Projects like oil and gas pipelines crossing the border reflect growing Chinese investment and influence in Myanmar.
13. Laos
Laos shares a 423 km (263 mi) border with China’s Yunnan province. Mountains and the Mekong River mark sections of this frontier.
Laos has entered China’s economic orbit through projects like the Laos-China railway completed in 2021. Still, Laos seeks to balance Chinese influence by engaging other powers.
14. Vietnam
China and Vietnam have a 1,281 km (796 mi) border mostly following mountain ranges and rivers. It separates Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi Zhuang from northwestern Vietnam.
Vietnam has a complex relationship with its giant northern neighbor. Historical enmity and maritime disputes persist despite growing economic ties.
Border Disputes
China has settled most land border disputes through bilateral negotiations and treaties. However, three unresolved disputes linger:
- Aksai Chin: A disputed region administered by China but also claimed by India as part of Ladakh. It has symbolic importance but little economic value.
- Arunachal Pradesh: An Indian state with a majority Buddhist population that China asserts is part of Tibet.
- Doklam Plateau: An area where China, Bhutan, and India’s boundaries intersect. All three countries claim the strategically important plateau.
These disputes sometimes spark diplomatic flare-ups and military posturing but have so far been managed peacefully. Ongoing border talks seek incremental progress in resolving these issues.
History of China’s Borders
The position and extent of China’s borders evolved with the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms over many centuries. Key milestones include:
- 221 BC – Qin unification of China established northern and western borders.
- 1279-1368 – Mongol Yuan Dynasty expanded China’s borders.
- 1368-1644 – Ming Dynasty defended the Great Wall frontier.
- 1644-1912 – Qing Dynasty expanded China’s borders to their greatest extent.
- 1912 – Republic of China inherited the Qing borders.
- 1949 – People’s Republic of China was established with borders reflecting imperial frontiers.
- 1960s – Border clashes occurred before demarcation treaties were signed with neighboring countries.
- 1997-2008 – Border agreements were reached with countries like Russia and Vietnam.
Imperial expansion and consolidation of borders was followed by decay of border defenses like the Great Wall. But the idea of China being bounded by ancient frontiers persists. This shapes modern Chinese views of its borderlands.
Geopolitical Importance of China’s Borders
China’s borders carry geopolitical significance in several aspects:
National unity
China’s borderlands like Xinjiang and Tibet have separatist movements seeking independence. Securing borders is seen as crucial for defending national unity.
Territorial integrity
Disputed borders in the Himalayas represent challenges to Chinese territorial integrity. Resolving disputes remains a priority.
Natural barriers
Formidable frontier mountains, deserts, and rivers afford China protection and strategic depth against invasion.
Access to Eurasia
Borders with Central Asia provide overland gateways to Europe fueling development schemes like the Belt and Road Initiative.
Regional stability
China’s borders touch many politically unstable areas. Preventing conflict and extremism in border zones promotes regional stability.
Resource security
Border areas supply China with resources like oil, gas, uranium, and timber. Securing access to these assets is strategically and economically important.
Maritime power projection
Control of strategic chokepoints near China’s borders helps project maritime power and safeguard trade routes.
Border Security Challenges
Policing extensive land borders poses challenges including:
Border crossings
Vast, remote borders are difficult to police against illegal crossings by smugglers, migrants, or extremists.
Porous borders
Rugged mountains and deserts have many informal crossing points facilitating illicit border flows.
Regional instability
Borders like Afghanistan and Myanmar abut regions beset by political strife and state weakness.
Transnational threats
China faces cross-border security threats like terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and infectious disease spread.
Border disputes
Disputed borders in the Himalayas risk escalation into wider conflicts which undermine security.
Rapid development
Economic schemes like CPEC transform border zones but also create new tensions needing careful management.
Cooperation with neighboring states coupled with surveillance technology helps China manage common border security challenges.
Comparative Border Lengths
The following table compares China’s border lengths with other large countries:
| Country | Total land border length (km) |
|---|---|
| Russia | 20,017 |
| China | 22,117 |
| United States | 12,034 |
| India | 13,888 |
| Kazakhstan | 12,191 |
This illustrates China has the second longest land border of any country after Russia. It underscores the strategic significance but also vulnerability posed by China’s extensive land frontiers.
Conclusion
China borders 14 nations over a massive 22,117 km land frontier. Securing these restive border zones has long preoccupied China’s leaders. Border security threats persist but joint efforts with neighbors coupled with advanced surveillance promote stability. Lingering border disputes with India and Bhutan remain flashpoints needing careful diplomacy to manage. The extent and diversity of its land borders shapes China’s geography, history, and global position while driving political and economic policies.
