Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Cambodia
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
China shares land frontiers with many countries in East, Central, and South Asia. Some Southeast Asian states border China while others do not. Examinations often frame questions in the negative, asking which country does not share a border. This requires careful reading and a clear mental map of the region.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Among the four countries listed, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar all have land borders with China. Laos lies directly south of China, between Vietnam and Thailand. Vietnam borders China to its north. Myanmar, formerly Burma, shares a border with China in its northern region. Cambodia, however, lies further south, bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, but it does not reach as far north as China and therefore has no direct boundary with Chinese territory.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the map of mainland Southeast Asia north to south.Step 2: Identify that China borders Myanmar on the northwest and north, Laos directly to the south, and Vietnam to the southeast.Step 3: Note that Cambodia lies south of Laos and does not extend all the way up to China.Step 4: Confirm that Cambodia is separated from China by these other countries.Step 5: Conclude that Cambodia is the only state in the list without a common border with China.
Verification / Alternative check:
On a political map, China is shown contacting Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam directly. Cambodia is clearly enclosed by Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, with the Gulf of Thailand to the south. There is a visible gap between China and Cambodia, reinforcing that no direct border exists between them.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Laos shares a considerable stretch of border with China and is frequently mentioned as a neighbour. Vietnam also borders China along its northern frontier. Myanmar has a long northern border with China. Therefore, selecting any of these three would contradict well established regional geography.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes overlook Cambodia's exact position and assume that all mainland Southeast Asian countries might border China. Another common mistake is to misread the question and forget that it is asking for the country that does not share a border. Reading the wording carefully and recalling the specific arrangement of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia prevents such errors.
Final Answer:
The country among the options that does not share a land border with China is Cambodia.
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