The recent unveiling of China’s new “standard map” has generated a lot of controversy. The region of the South China Sea, Aksai Chin, Taiwan, and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh are all included in the updated map.
The map, which was unveiled on August 28, 2023, has reignited old disagreements and raised diplomatic questions.
On the website for the Ministry of Natural Resources’ standard map service, the 2023 version of China’s official map was made available.
It illustrates China’s perspective on world geography by drawing national boundaries; however, this could exacerbate tensions with China’s neighbors.
A post by the state-run Global Times on X (formerly Twitter) claims that the map was made using the same technique as other nations’ national boundaries, including those of China.
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 of China and various countries… pic.twitter.com/bmtriz2Yqe
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 28, 2023
It is particularly noteworthy that Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, which India recognizes as a state, have been added. Both regions have long been at the center of disputes between China and India.
Arunachal Pradesh has remained under Indian control despite China’s claims that it is South Tibet. This stance has been upheld by India, which asserts that Arunachal Pradesh “has always been and will always be a part of the country.”
However, the map asserts that Taiwan is an integral part of China’s territory, which is in line with the country’s president, Xi Jinping, and does not just refer to India.
The disputed nine-dash line, which claims a portion of the South China Sea as Chinese territory, is also depicted on the map. Countries with competing claims to the same maritime regions, such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, have resisted this.
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