Amid escalating tensions, China has unveiled a fourth list comprising 30 new names for various places in Arunachal Pradesh, reigniting its territorial claims over the Indian state. This move comes amidst Beijing’s intensified efforts to assert control over the region, which it refers to as Zangnan.
However, India has vehemently rejected China’s attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, reaffirming its stance that the state is an integral part of the country, and altering names does not change this reality. Also Read – (PM Modi To Inaugurate Strategically Important Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh)
China reportedly renamed 30 locations in Arunachal Pradesh as part of Zangnan, asserting them as a Tibetan autonomous region.#China #ArunachalPradesh #Zangnan #PowerCorridors pic.twitter.com/7yFQGeEk9N
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) April 1, 2024
China renames 30 locations of India’s Arunachal Pradesh
According to the state-run Global Times, the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs published the latest list of standardized geographical names for Zangnan. These names are scheduled to come into effect from May 1, and the implementation measures specify that any foreign language names that challenge China’s territorial sovereignty rights will not be authorized for direct quotation or translation.
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This announcement follows a series of similar actions by China, including releasing three previous lists containing standardized names for places in Arunachal Pradesh. The recent escalation in rhetoric began with Beijing lodging a diplomatic protest against India following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. During the visit, PM Modi inaugurated the strategically significant Sela Tunnel, designed to enhance all-weather connectivity to the strategically important Tawang region.
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S. Jaishankar reinstates Arunachal Pradesh as India’s Integral Part
In response to China’s assertions, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, categorically dismissed China’s claims on Arunachal Pradesh as “ludicrous.” He emphasized that the state is an integral part of India and reiterated India’s unwavering position.
Moreover, Beijing expressed displeasure over the United States’ statement recognizing Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory. The Chinese Foreign and Defence Ministries criticized the US statement, asserting that the boundary issue between China and India is bilateral and should not involve external parties.
Regarding the latest release of names by the Chinese Civil Affairs Ministry, translations of foreign or minority language names must comply with standards set by relevant state organs. Standard translations are disseminated through official notices, the national database for geographical names, and government publications.
The State Council’s revised regulations on place names, issued in April 2022, govern the naming, renaming, usage, and cultural protection of geographical names within Chinese territories.
As tensions persist between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh, the latest move by China to rename places in the region further exacerbates the ongoing dispute, underscoring the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Indo-Pacific region.
