China announces ‘standardised’ names of six places in Arunachal Pradesh after Dalai Lama’s visit

Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions over the border dispute, China has announced ‘standardised’ names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh after the 14th Dalai Lama’s visit to the northeastern Indian state.

The move comes less than a week after China warned India that the Dalai Lama’s visit to the region, saying it will have a ‘negative impact’ on the settlement of the border dispute. It also accused New Delhi of violating its commitment on the Tibet issue.

China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on April 14 on its website that it had standardized 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,” reported Chinese State Media Global Times.

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

Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at Beijing’s Minzu University of China said that naming of the places is a step to reaffirm China’s territorial sovereignty to South Tibet.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, “Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh had a negative impact …read more