Chi gives six Aruchal places its own mes

BEIJING'S NEW  PRESSURE TACTIC

Beijing, April 19: Chi has given its own mes to six places in Aruchal Pradesh, which it calls “South Tibet”, in a move to reaffirm its territorial sovereignty over the Indian state.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on April 14 on its website that it had standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabet the mes of six places, the state-run Global Times reported on Tuesday.

The six mes are Wo’gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidêngarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bümo La and mkapub Ri. The report did not say which six places in Aruchal Pradesh it was referring to.

“The standardisation came amid Chi’s growing understanding and recognition of the geography in South Tibet. ming the places is a step to reaffirm Chi’s territorial sovereignty to South Tibet,” Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at Beijing’s Minzu University of Chi, told the daily.

“These mes have existed since ancient times but had never been standardised (earlier). Therefore, announcing the mes is like a remediation,” said Guo Kefan, a research fellow at the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences.

He added: “Standardising the mes from the angles of culture and geography could serve as a reference or leverage when Chi and India negotiate border issues in future.”

On April 5, Chi’s Foreign Ministry criticised India for inviting the Dalai Lama to Aruchal Pradesh, an action which it said will “bring no benefits to India”.

“The Dalai Lama’s visit to Aruchal Pradesh severely damages Chi’s interests and Sino-Indian relations,” said Hua Chunying, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Hua added that arranging “his activities in this sensitive area where Chi and India have territorial disputes not only violates India’s commitment on Tibet-related issues, but also fuels the border dispute”. (IANS)