Heweitan () is the location of a China border outpost in the region of Aksai Chin that is controlled by China (as part of Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang) but disputed by India. According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, it is the highest border outpost in the country.
Geography
Heweitan is near the head of the
Karakash River as it emerges from the Karakoram mountains into the Aksai Chin plateau. Karakash flows northeast through Aksai Chin until reaching the Kunlun Mountains, where it bends to northwest. The Chang Chenmo caravan route between Ladakh and Xianjiang via the
Galwan River and Karakash valleys passed through this location. In modern times, the
Tiankong Highway connects Heweitan to
Tianwendian and
Kongka Pass bases of China.
[ Tiankong Xian marked on OpenStreetMap, retrieved 5 March 2021.]
Heweitan is also close to the head of the Jeong Nala, which flows west into the Shyok River in Ladakh, and is able to strategically control its valley. China also has a motorable road in the Jeong valley to access the Line of Actual Control with India.
Sino-Indian border conflict
Heweitan was one of the sectors of the Chinese offensive during the
Sino-Indian War in 1962.
This base served as the HQ for the sector, and the forces in this sector played an adversarial role to the Indian forces in
Galwan River Valley.
Media
Being supposedly the highest border outpost in China, Heweitan is often reported upon by the Chinese media. CCTV-7 alone had made full-hour coverage in 2014
and half-hour coverage in 2016
about this border outpost. In late 2018, Chinese Ministry of National Defense made a theatrical trailer promoting border troops that was shown in the movie theatre. It included footages from Heweitan.
See also
