China`s online mapping service shows Arunachal as its part

K J M Varma
Beijing, Oct 23 (PTI) An online mapping service launched
by China to rival 'Google Earth' shows Arunachal Pradesh and
Aksai Chin as part of this country, in what is being seen as
the latest move by Beijing to assert its claim over the Indian
territory.
The 'Map World' displayed on the internet in Chinese
language, which is already being used in I-phone and by mobile
and internet users here, shows Arunachal Pradesh, which
Beijing claims as "southern Tibet", as part of China.
The map makes no specific mention of southern Tibet but
its borders cover up to Arunachal Pradesh, said the Indian
officials here who studied the map.
Also the Aksai Chin, which India asserts as part of
Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, has been included in the map as
part of the Chinese Xinjiang province.
Indian observers view it as another move by China to
assert its claim over the Indian territory.
The map, however, also displays the Line of Control (LoC),
acknowledging both sides of Kashmir. It recognises the
Northern Areas of Gligit and Baltistan as part of the
"Pakistan-controlled" Kashmir.
A controversy broke out some time back when the Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesperson, while replying to questions on
reports of the presence of Chinese troops in Gilgit-Baltistan
area, referred to them as "Northern part of Pakistan."
Besides conveying its concerns to Beijing over reports of
presence of Chinese troops in Gilgit-Baltistan area of
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India had called off defence
exchanges with China following denial of visa to Northern
Area Commander Lt Gen B S Jaswal to take part in talks here.
India had earlier objected to stapled visas being issued
to those from Jammu and Kashmir.
The online Chinese map, however, shows the Northern Areas
as part of "Pakistan-controlled" Kashmir, recognising their
disputed status.
The map also recognises Sikkim as part of India but
Indian officials say it would be difficult to ascertain
whether the "Finger Area", a small tract of territory in the
north of Gyangyong in Sikkim overlooking strategically
important valley known as the Sora Funnel, is included.
It is not possible to make such a fine distinction on
this map. Only experts could decipher it, officials here said.
Barring the two claims on Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai
Chin which are part of China's official stand, Indian
officials say the map contained no new territorial claims as
far as the China-India border issue is concerned.
The map already created ripples in recent weeks when some
of buyers of the new I-phone in China raised objections over
the use of the Chinese language in it to identify the places
in the rest of the world. Some of the Apple stores marketing
I-phone offered to take back the phones. (More) PTI