How did China gain control of Aksai Chin in northeastern Ladakh?

China gained control of Aksai Chin in northeastern Ladakh primarily through the construction of a strategic military road and the subsequent Sino-Indian War of 1962.12

Historically, Aksai Chin was an isolated and largely ignored area. In the 1950s, China built a military road through the region to connect Tibet with Xinjiang. India, which claims the territory as part of Ladakh, objected to this presence, leading to rising tensions and border skirmishes.12

Following these disputes, the People’s Liberation Army launched an attack across the boundaries in October 1962. Although China announced a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew from most invaded areas after a month, it retained control of approximately 14,700 square miles (38,000 square km) of territory in Aksai Chin. This area remains a point of contention, with the Line of Actual Control serving as the de facto boundary between Indian- and Chinese-controlled territories.2134