China renames six places in Arunachal on its official map

EXPERTS ARE VIEWING THE DEVELOPMENT AS A SIGNAL FROM CHINA AGAINST THE DALAI LAMA’S VISIT TO THE NORTHEASTERN STATE

has unilaterally renamed six places in Arunachal Pradesh in an apparent retaliation against the Dalai Lama’s visit to India’s easternmost state, with experts saying the move is aimed at reaffirming Beijing’s “territorial sovereignty” to the region.

Changing the names was a “legitimate” action done in line with Chinese law, the country’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday, adding it supported Beijing’s territorial claim.

State-run Global Times tabloid reported on Tuesday the civil affairs ministry had “standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabet the names of six places in South Tibet, which India calls ‘Arunachal Pradesh’, in accordance with the regulations of the State Council”.

The report added, “The official names of the six places using the Roman alphabet are Wo’gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidêngarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bümo La and Namkapub Ri.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang defended the move at a news briefing on Wednesday: “It is actually carried out in accordance with our regulations about the names of localities and is a legitimate action by the government.”

He added, “These names reflect from another side that China’s territorial claim over South Tibet is supported by clear evidence in terms of history, culture and administration.”

Long Xingchun of China West Normal University told Hindustan Times: “This is a very strong signal from China. It seems to be because of the Dalai Lama visit. China could have been prepared to this and was waiting for the right time... India seems to have miscalculated China’s response (to the visit).”

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