India, Malaysia bristle over territorial grab

India has dismissed China's new standard map that claims disputed territories between the two countries as its own.

"Putting out a map does not mean anything," said India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. "These territories are very much a part of India.

Jaishankar said China had issued such maps in the past, and that "making absurd claims does not make other people's territories yours."

The map showed the India-administered northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the disputed Aksai Chin region as part of China.

It also expanded Beijing's claim to territories belonging to the Philippines in those parts of the South China Sea that overlap with the West Philippine Sea (see related story).

Like the Philippines and Malaysia, India lodged a strong protest with China over the map, calling the claims "without basis."

Bilateral relations between India and China have been strained in recent years, due to several territorial disputes.

In 2020, a border clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Ladakh region left 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead.

China renamed 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, which India considers its territory, in April 2023. In response, India renamed ten locations in the region.

The two countries have held several military talks to de-escalate tensions along the border, but no major breakthrough has been achieved.

Malaysia, too

Malaysia, on Wednesday, also rejected China's new map of the South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade pass annually.

Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei have overlapping claims in parts of the sea, while the United States regularly sails its naval vessels through it to assert freedom of navigation in international waters.

"Malaysia does not recognize China's claims in the South China Sea, as outlined in the China Standard Map 2023 Edition which covers Malaysia's maritime area," its foreign ministry said in a statement.

Describing the South China Sea issue as "complex and sensitive," Kuala Lumpur said the dispute must be "handled peacefully and rationally through dialogue" based on international law.

Malaysia also said it supports the creation of a Code of Conduct for the sea, which Southeast Asian nations are currently negotiating.

Kuala Lumpur summoned Beijing's envoy in 2021 after Chinese vessels entered its exclusive economic zone.

Malaysia said the South China Sea area it claims north of Borneo Island — including five maritime features in the Spratly Islands chain — falls within that zone.

In recent years, China has ramped up its development of artificial islands, outfitting some with military facilities and runways.

Other Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines have also accused Chinese vessels of harassing their fishing boats.

With AFP