Irked by Lama's visit, China renamed 6 places in Arunachal

New Delhi: In a retaliatory move against the Dalai Lama’s visit to Aruncahal Pradesh, China has renamed six places in the north-eastern state which it calls as south Tibet. According to Chinese media, the decision by Beijing came in a bid to 'reassert' its 'sovereignty' over the area which it holds as 'disputed.'

According to State-run Global Times, 'China's Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on April 14 on its website that it had standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabets the names of six places in South Tibet, which India calls "Arunachal Pradesh," in accordance with the regulations of the State Council.' The official names of the six places using the Roman alphabet are Wo'gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidêngarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bümo La and Namkapub Ri. As the Dalai lama was visiting Arunachal Pradesh in the first week of this month, China had warned India that it would take 'necessary measures' to defend its territorial sovereignty.

Beijing had registered a strong diplomatic protest with India saying that New Delhi’s hosting of the Dalai lama in Arunachal Pradesh would have a negative effect on border disputes. An editorial in the Global Times that appeared on April 6 noted with anger that 'The Dalai Lama has been to the disputed region before, but what makes this trip different is that he is received and accompanied by India's Junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju. ' Mr Rijiju had replied to the Chinese objection to the visit saying that Arunachal Pradesh was "an inseparable part of India", and China had no right to interfere in its internal matter. (UNI)