ISLAMABAD: China on Tuesday categorically rejected India’s sovereignty overArunachal Pradesh, stating that the Chinese side has never recognised theso-called “Arunachal Pradesh” illegally established by India and will neverdo so.
In a strongly worded statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jiantold reporters in Beijing that Arunachal Pradesh is an inherent part ofChina’s territory and that India’s unilateral creation of the state in 1987through domestic legislation holds no legal validity. The spokesman accusedIndia of continuing to encroach upon Chinese territory under variouspretexts despite repeated protests from Beijing.
The latest remarks came in response to recent Indian media reports aboutinfrastructure development and administrative measures in the borderregion. Lin Jian warned that such actions only complicate the boundaryquestion and are not conducive to maintaining peace and tranquillity alongthe Line of Actual Control.
China has consistently maintained that the eastern sector of theSino-Indian boundary follows the traditional customary line and that thearea south of the McMahon Line, which India claims as Arunachal Pradesh,belongs to China. Beijing refers to the region as South Tibet andadministers part of it as Zayu County under the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The renewed assertion follows a pattern of escalating rhetoric between thetwo nuclear-armed neighbours since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that leftsoldiers dead on both sides. Although disengagement has been achieved inseveral friction points, the overall boundary dispute remains unresolved,with both countries maintaining heavy military presence along the disputedfrontier.
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India has dismissed China’s objections as baseless and maintains thatArunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country. NewDelhi has accelerated infrastructure projects in the state, includingroads, tunnels and airfields, describing them as routine developmentactivities within its own territory.
Analysts say the sharp exchange underscores the persisting mistrust despitemultiple rounds of corps commander-level talks aimed at reducing tensions.
Source: www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/202511/t20251118_11598123.html”>https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/202511/t20251118_11598123.html