Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia Protest China’s Map

Relevance: GS 2 - India and its neighborhood- relations; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

(Source: The Hindu, 09/01/23)

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Why in the news?

• Recently, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia released separate statements voicing their opposition to China’s new “standard map” for 2023, which has also drawn a strong protest from India.
• The map showed all of the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin, as well as the entire South China Sea within China’s borders.
• China's issuance of new maps, which include disputed territories, has raised concerns among its neighbors. These maps are seen as complicating ongoing negotiations over territorial disputes.

Countries Reject Chinese Standard Maps

• Philippines: The Philippines' Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting China's 2023 version of the "standard map." They specifically object to the inclusion of the nine-dash line.
• The Philippines argues that this attempt by China to assert sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones is not grounded in international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) from 1982.
• Malaysia: Malaysia's government also protested against China's map, rejecting it due to its inclusion of unilateral claims to Malaysian maritime territory, including parts of Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Indonesia: Indonesia issued a statement emphasizing that any drawing of territorial lines, including those in China's 2023 Standard Map, should be in line with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) from 1982.

What is the source of India-China tension?

• A Disputed Border and Shifting Dynamics: The primary source of tension lies in the ill-defined, 3,440 km-long border that divides the two nations.
• Rivers, lakes, and shifting snowcaps contribute to the changing demarcation, causing frequent face-offs between soldiers at various points.
• The ties between India and China were severely strained following the eastern Ladakh border row that began in May 2020.
• The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in specific friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
• Infrastructure: Both countries are also engaged in constructing infrastructure along the border, adding complexity to the situation. India's construction of a high-altitude air base road was a key trigger for a deadly clash in 2020.
• Confrontation: The 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation, where soldiers battled with rudimentary weapons, resulted in casualties on both sides, marking the first fatal clash since 1975. The use of firearms, previously prohibited by a 1996 agreement, occurred in 2021, heightening the danger.

Conclusion

• The issuance of new maps by China, especially with disputed territories, is viewed by its neighbors as a provocative and complicating factor in ongoing negotiations and territorial disputes.
• It can contribute to regional instability and hinder efforts to find peaceful resolutions to these disputes through diplomatic means.

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FAQs

MCQ

A similar question can be asked on the South China Sea

Question: Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea? (UPSC- 2015)

(a) Syria

(b) Jordan

(c) Lebanon

(d) Israel