What is on the Chinese redrawn map that disturbs not only India but also other three countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan? They have categorically shot down the legitimacy of the arguments on the map showcasing China’s territorial hegemony in the South China Sea.
China has asked India to stay calm following a strong diplomatic objection by India to the release of a map by Beijing. Delhi asserts ownership over its territory in the Himalayas, writes Independent.com.
This has been roundly rejected by all these three countries. These countries have joined China’s regional rival India in objecting to the map that was released by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Indian government had earlier lodged a strong protest against the map as it displayed the Indian territories of the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the disputed Aksai Chin area on the western border as Chinese territory.
Malaysia does not recognise China’s claims in the South China Sea as outlined in the ‘2023 edition of the standard map of China’ which extends into the Malaysian maritime area, the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement. The map has no binding effect on Malaysia. Reportedly, it filed a diplomatic protest over the map.
The Philippines also cried out to China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under the defined international law.
“This latest attempt to legitimise China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law,” its foreign ministry said.
When enquired about the latest Chinese “standard” map, the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu said.
Taiwan was “absolutely not a part of the People’s Republic of China.” “No matter how the Chinese government twists its status on Taiwan’s sovereignty, it cannot change the ideal and objective fact of our country’s existence,” he said.