After Pakistan, China steps up to thrash India with new names for places in Arunachal Pradesh

China has reiterated its claim over Zangnan - referred to as Arunachal Pradesh by India - by renaming several locations in the region to assert its territorial stance.

According to reports, this step is part of its internal administrative work and reflects its sovereign rights over the area.

The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs recently released a list of new names for 27 locations in Zangnan. These include 15 mountains, five villages, four mountain passes, two rivers, and one lake. Each place has been given names in Chinese, Tibetan, and pinyin (the Romanised spelling of Chinese), along with detailed maps and coordinates.

China has carried out similar naming exercises in the past. Since 2017, it has renamed a total of 89 locations in Arunachal Pradesh. The most recent batch before this one was in April 2024, when 30 places were renamed.

Chinese officials say this process is completely legal and reflects their historical and administrative connection to the region, which they consider part of Tibet.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that these names are based on China’s historical records and maps. It claims the region was part of Tibet before the Shimla Convention of 1914, an agreement involving China, Tibet, and Britain during a time of global power struggles.

India has rejected the latest move, reiterating its position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. Indian authorities have described the Chinese renaming exercises as meaningless and politically motivated.

Despite recent efforts to ease border tensions, especially after deadly clashes in 2020, the issue of Zangnan continues to strain ties between the two countries. The two sides did agree in October to reduce military presence in other border areas, but the situation in this region remains sensitive.

China maintains that assigning Chinese names to places in Zangnan is a matter of sovereignty, not provocation. By continuing this process, China is making it clear that it stands firm on its claims.