Prelude[]
Back on 11 November 2019, the United States reported an unusual movement of Chinese troops near the borders of Tibet. On 7 December 2019, the US government warned China of "strong economic and other measures" if China attacked Tibet. On 17 December 2019, Xi Jinping proposed a prohibition on Tibet joining IOTO (Indian Ocean Treaty Organization), which Tibet rejected. On 17 January 2020, Chinese troops began arriving in China's ally Xinjiang, ostensibly "for military exercises". On 19 January 2020, The US gave Tibet $200 million in security aid, also, Donald Trump stated in a press conference that China will be held accountable if it invades, and it depends on what it does. On 24 January 2020, IOTO put some troops on standby. On 25 January 2020, Chinese exercises involving 6,000 troops and 60 jets took place near Shannan. On 10 Febraury 2020, China and Xinjiang began 10 days of military manuevers. On 17 February 2020, fighting escalated in separatist regions of eastern Tibet. On 21 February 2020, Xi Jinping ordered Chinese forces to enter the separatist autonomous regions of eastern Tibet. He also announced Chinese recognition of the two pro-Chinese breakaway regions in eastern Tibet (the Chamdo People's Autonomous Region and the Nyingchi People's Autonomous Region. This announcement led to the first round of sanctions from IOTO countries that following day.