Conflict between China and India: China’s Newest 2023 Edition Map Features Controversial Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin

Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan, and the disputed South China Sea are all included on China’s “standard map” for 2023, which is the most recent development in the long-running Sino-Indian border dispute.

Surprisingly, the development occurred just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi-Jinping had a discussion on the topic on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa. During their conversation, the two leaders decided to direct their relevant officials to step up efforts for rapid deescalation and disengagement in order to resume normal relations between the two warring nations.

What makes China assert?
The official 2023 edition of China’s standard map was unveiled on the standard map service website, which is managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources, according to the state-run Global Times.

In the article, it was said that “this map is compiled based on the drawing method of the national boundaries of China and various countries in the world.”

In many communications with China, India has reaffirmed that “Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and always will remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”

Taiwan and the South China Sea are shown on the map.
The nine-dash line, which claims a huge portion of the South China Sea, and China’s claims to the estranged island of Taiwan were also shown on the map.

Taiwan is seen by China as a part of its territory, and President Xi Jinping of China has made it one of his stated goals to integrate Taiwan into the mainland.

Counterclaims over the South China Sea regions have been made by Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Malaysia.