Itanagar, Aug 29: In a recent development that has escalated tensions in the already volatile Sino-India border dispute, China officially released its 2023 edition of the “standard map,” which includes disputed areas such as Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin, Taiwan, and the contested South China Sea within Chinese territory.
This move comes as a surprise, given that it occurred shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held discussions on the sidelines of the 15th edition of the BRICS Summit in South Africa. During this meeting, the two leaders agreed to direct their respective officials to intensify efforts towards expeditious disengagement and de-escalation in an attempt to restore normalcy in the relationship between the two countries, which have been at odds over their borders for decades.
The 2023 edition of China’s standard map was officially released and made available on the website of the standard map service hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources. According to media reports, this map was compiled based on China’s national boundaries and those of other countries worldwide.
India has consistently asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of its territory. However, China has maintained its claim over the region, referring to it as “South Tibet.”
In addition to the inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin, China’s latest map also asserts its sovereignty over Taiwan and reaffirms its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea through the controversial nine-dash line.
Taiwan, which has been under self-governance since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, continues to be a contentious issue between China and the international community. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. This stance has led to increased tensions in the region.
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The South China Sea is another hotspot for territorial disputes, with multiple countries, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, asserting competing claims over various islands and maritime territories. China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, as indicated by the nine-dash line on its map, have been a major source of friction and have drawn international criticism.
The release of China’s 2023 edition map, which reaffirms these controversial territorial claims, has the potential to further strain relations between China and its neighboring countries, particularly India, Taiwan, and nations in Southeast Asia with interests in the South China Sea.
China’s actions, including the release of this map, have not gone unnoticed by the international community. The United States and other nations have expressed concerns over China’s assertive territorial claims and its growing military presence in the South China Sea.
In response to the latest developments, India has reiterated its stance on the matter, emphasizing that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of its sovereign territory. Taiwan has also responded by reaffirming its status as a separate, self-governing entity.
Diplomatically, the situation remains complex, with various countries attempting to balance their economic ties with China while addressing their security concerns and upholding international norms related to territorial sovereignty.
China’s release of its 2023 edition map, which includes disputed regions like Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin, as well as Taiwan and the South China Sea, has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing Sino-India border dispute and broader regional tensions. The response of the international community and the diplomatic efforts to resolve these disputes will be crucial in determining the future stability of the region.
