Beijing asserts ancient claims on Arunachal, igniting US‑India support debate

Beijing has renewed its territorial claims to the region in northeastern India, Arunachal Pradesh. China claims that this area is part of Zangnan, meaning Southern Tibet. "This territory has been Chinese since ancient times," a Beijing official stated, while also condemning Washington for supporting New Delhi and "provoking disputes".

Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defence reiterated China's territorial claims to the state in northeastern India, Arunachal Pradesh - reports the American Newsweek. - Zangnan has been the territory of China since ancient times. It's an undeniable fact, said Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defence.

China claims that Arunachal Pradesh is part of Zangnan, or Southern Tibet. The dispute between Beijing and New Delhi has historical roots. The countries engaged in a short, bloody conflict over this territory in the 1960s. China changed the name of the region on its official maps and issues separate visas to its residents.

The United States recognized Arunachal Pradesh as belonging to India, - reported by Reuters on March 20, Greenwich Mean Time. The US State Department then declared that it opposes any unilateral attempts to assert territorial claims in the northeastern state of India, which borders China.

During a Thursday appearance, the Chinese spokesperson condemned the actions of Washington and stated that Americans "provoke disputes". - The United States has an infamous history of provoking disputes with other countries and pursuing their own selfish interests. The international community clearly sees this, - said the official quoted by Newsweek.

China and India have solid mechanisms regarding borders and communication channels, and both sides have the ability and the willingness to properly resolve the border dispute through dialogue and consultations - stressed Wu Qian as quoted by the Chinese state channel CGTN.

Source: Newsweek.com, Reuters, CGTN