Chinese and Indian tanks are facing off just hundreds of yards from each other at their disputed Himalayan border, according to an image shared on Chinese media.
The photo shows armoured vehicles lined up against each other beside encampments along the 2,000-mile border where last year grisly hand-to-hand combat left 20 Indian soldiers dead.
The image was first shared on Chinese social media site Weibo by a 'military blogger' and the story has since been picked up by pro-Beijing news sites which boast of the prowess of their Type-15 tanks.
Since June's clash, the first deadly fighting in 45 years, India and China have heavily fortified their positions on either side of India's Ladakh region and deployed thousands of troops.
The photograph was first shared on Chinese social media site Weibo by a 'military blogger' and the story has since been picked up by pro-Beijing news sites which boast of the prowess of their Type-15 tanks
Since June's clash, the first deadly fighting in 45 years, India and China have heavily fortified their positions on either side of India's Ladakh region
On Monday, the Times of India reported that the Chinese had moved around 10,000 troops held in reserve up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) - the line drawn by the foes after the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
There are up to 35 Chinese tanks close to outposts captured by the Indian army in late August. It is not clear how many tanks the Indians have in reply.
Last year's Galwan Valley battle led to boycotts of Chinese goods and furious protests on the streets of Indian capital New Delhi.
In November, the two sides began formulating a disengagement plan to withdraw troops and establish no-patrol zones, but the talks appear to have fallen through.
The deaths of the soldiers are still bitterly felt by the Indian troops and they were remembered again on Friday during Army Day 2021 in Delhi.
General Manoj Mukund Naravane lauded the 'supreme sacrifice' of the Galwan Valley 'bravehearts.'
He said that the army 'took swift action during the India-China LAC standoff' to protect the border and a 'befitting response' was given to the Beijing 'conspiracy' to shift the frontier.
'We are committed to finding the resolution of our disputes through discussions and political efforts but no one should test out patience,' the general said.
Between April and May last year, the Indians claim that the Chinese deployed nearly 50,000 troops close to the boundary, as well as heavy artillery and the infrastructure to support its men.
Earlier this week, Beijing propaganda mouthpiece China.com published an article which proudly boasted of the superiority of the Chinese Type 15 tanks against India's T-17 and T-90s.
It said: 'India has been operating on the western border for many years and has many practices in the use of tanks and armoured vehicles.
'However, the PLA (People's Liberation Army) was able to quickly form an advantage in the number of tanks at specific locations, and the level of equipment and technology was immediately superior.'
Last Friday, a Chinese solider was arrested by Indian forces after he allegedly strayed over the border.
'The PLA soldier is being dealt with as per laid down procedures, and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are being investigated,' a statement from the Indian Army said.
The PLA claimed the soldier went missing in 'the darkness and complicated terrain' and insisted India was informed.
'India should strictly abide by the relevant agreements between the two countries, and promptly transfer the missing person to China, to help with cooling and de-escalating the China-Indian border situation,' the military newspaper added.
Another Chinese soldier was briefly held by Indian forces in the same region in October.
In June, the Indian army accused the Chinese of using clubs fashioned with barbed wire and nails to beat their troops. The Galwan Valley clash left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead
