NEW DELHI: The 2023 China Standard Map issued by the country's Ministry of Natural Resources includes a significant portion of Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak, as well as various regions in India claimed by China.
Released yesterday in conjunction with China's National Mapping Awareness Week and Survey and Mapping Publicity Day, the 2023 China Standard Map also incorporates disputed areas, including claims over Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.
It also includes maritime areas within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
The latest map follows Beijing's announcement last April that it would be "implementing standards" for the names of 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, including a city near the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar.
This marks the third list of toponyms for places in Arunachal Pradesh and is seen by observers as a response to India's hosting of events leading up to the G-20 summit in the country, an event opposed by Beijing.
China's President, Xi Jinping, is expected to attend the summit scheduled for Sept 9th to 10th in New Delhi.
Subsequent to the public release of the standard map, the Ministry of Natural Resources reportedly planned to issue 'digital and navigation maps' for use in various fields, including "location-based services, precision agriculture, the economy, and connected smart vehicles."
This year commemorates the 30th anniversary of the People's Republic of China Surveying and Mapping Law.
The law aims to strengthen the administration of surveying and mapping companies, promote their development, and ensure they serve national development, the economy, national defense construction, and societal progress.
Under Xi's leadership, Beijing has tightened border area management, passing new border laws in 2022.
The laws outline various responsibilities for both civilian authorities and the Chinese military to take steps to 'safeguard the sovereignty of the country'.
The introduction of new toponyms is linked to Article 7 of the law, which calls for the promotion of border education at all levels of government.
Article 22 also urges the Chinese military to conduct border exercises and 'resolutely obstruct, stop, and combat' what it calls 'intrusions and provocations'.- AGENCIES