China releases new official map; Includes Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin

On August 28^th, China released its 2023 edition of the Standard Map of China by the Ministry of Natural Resources sparking great controversy as it includes disputed regions of Aksai Chin, the entirety of Arunachal Pradesh, Taiwan, and other areas of the South China Sea.

The map was released during their “National Mapping Awareness Publicity Week”, Chinese media reported.

Global Times took to the ‘X’ platform posting, “The 2023 edition of China’s standard map was officially released on Monday and launched on the website of the standard map service hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources. This map is compiled based on the drawing method of national boundaries and various countries in the world.”

The territorial claims on China’s western borders extend to the entire South Sea crossing the ‘nine-dash line. A “tenth dash” is located in the map now east of Taiwan subtly conveying its claim over the island country.

The latest map has been released after an announcement in April about ‘standardising’ the names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh including a town close to the capital Itanagar, this was the third such list ‘renaming’ Indian territories. This move has been attributed by many as a response to the G20 Summit held in India which Beijing had opposed. However, Jinping is expected to attend the event.

A PTI reported, “of particular significance is the inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin, both areas that have long been subject to conflicting claims between China and India. Arunachal Pradesh, despite assertions of it as South Tibet, has steadfastly remained an integral part of India. India has consistently reiterated this stance. India has repeatedly said that the state of Arunachal Pradesh has “always been” and will “always be” an integral part of India.”

This has rekindled the incessant border dispute which is not just limited to symbolic map markings but has taken a lot of lives as was in the case of the Galwan Valley conflict.

China’s perspective on global geography

China’s perspective on global geography has made it enemies to several countries, as a result, India has along the way gained many diplomatic compadres as is the case of Taiwan. Taiwan is witnessing the FoxConn founder running for president, where he has expressed his sharp opposition to any sort of merging with China’s territory however has recognised it as a potential friend. What will their response be to this map?

The ‘nine-dash’ line defiance has implied claiming substantial areas of the South China Sea which will also witness sparks from Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Please, also have a look into : Government reduces AFSPA in parts of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, extends it in Arunachal Pradesh