Ex-Army chief Manoj Naravane mocks Beijing, claims to reveal the true map of China.

Former Indian Army Chief Takes Dig at China’s Map Claiming Indian Territories

Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Naravane (retd) shared a map of China on X (formerly Twitter), and took a dig stating: “Finally someone has got the map of China as it really is”. The map demarcates several regions as ‘occupied’ areas including Tibet.

Background

China recently published a 2023 edition of its “standard map” which lays claim over Indian territories of Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin, Taiwan, and the disputed South China Sea. Following China’s release of the new ‘map’, India lodged a strong protest with Beijing and asserted that such steps only complicate the resolution of the boundary question. The external affairs ministry also rejected China’s claims as having “no basis”.

International Rejection of China’s Map

India’s criticism of the map was echoed by other countries. Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also panned China for laying claim to territories of other nations. The Philippines foreign ministry stated that China’s claims have no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Malaysia rejected China’s “unilateral claims” and added that the map is “not binding” to the country. Vietnam said the claims violate its sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly islands and jurisdiction over its waters and should be considered void. Taiwan, which China claims as its own, also rejected the map and Beijing’s South China Sea claims.

China’s Response

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin sidestepped questions regarding the changes in the map. He also didn’t directly address the protests over the map, saying the update was “routine practice every year” with the aim of providing standard maps and educating the public to use maps in accordance with rules. He urged the relevant sides to see the map in an objective and rational way.

Summary:

• Former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Naravane (retd) took a dig at China’s map claiming Indian territories.
• China recently published a map claiming Indian territories, including Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin.
• India lodged a strong protest and rejected China’s claims as having “no basis”.
• Other countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam, also criticized China’s map.
• China defended the map, stating it is a routine practice and urged others to see it objectively.