China Criticizes India for Naming Locations in Arunachal Pradesh
GUWAHATI: Tensions are rising as China reacts strongly to India’s decision to designate official names for 27 geographical sites in Arunachal Pradesh. A report from the state-run Global Times claims that these areas belong to China’s “Zangnan” region, a term Beijing uses to refer to Arunachal Pradesh and nearby territories that it asserts are part of Tibet.
In a press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that Zangnan is considered Chinese territory. He stated, “China does not recognize the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ set up by India, and it remains within China’s sovereign rights to name various places in Zangnan.”
This announcement from China follows India’s recent update of its official map, which now includes 21 land areas, four passes, a glacial lake, and a monument commemorating a war hero from the 1962 conflict in Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian government explained that this effort aims to promote proper identification of these places and enhance public understanding of their significance.
The Global Times report noted that this mapping effort came soon after the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC), where officials discussed boundary issues, management, and cooperation.
Guo Xuetang, a professor at Shanghai International Studies University, remarked that India’s actions seem to be aimed at reinforcing its claims over disputed areas and challenging China’s stance on sovereignty.
This ongoing “war of names” adds more complexity to the longstanding border dispute, even as both nations strive to maintain military and diplomatic dialogue.
