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First Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
How India can counter China's sinister renaming of Tibetan places
The time has come for India to study the issue deeper, in particular the geography and the ethnic history of the area which has close civilisational ties with India, and bring up this issue with China read more One can consider the step as part of China's information warfare against India. Representational image: PTI Beijing has done it again. China's Ministry of Civil Affairs has so-called 'standardised' the names of 27 places in Zangnan, an abbreviation of (Xi)Zang and 'Nan' (south in Mandarin), ie, Southern Tibet. In recent years, Beijing has started using this term for the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. For Beijing, Zangnan is itself part of the Xizang Autonomous Region, Xizang being the Chinese name for 'Tibet'. Is this name changing not confusing? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is probably Beijing's main purpose to bring confusion. The renamed 27 places (released 'in accordance with regulations on geographical names issued by the State Council – China's Cabinet') cover geographical features: 15 mountains, five residential areas, four mountain passes, two rivers and one lake. As earlier, each location is given in Chinese characters, Tibetan, and pinyin – the romanised spelling of Mandarin Chinese – with latitude and longitude coordinates and a high-resolution map. But what is Beijing's ultimate purpose? It was probably an indirect way to show sympathy with Pakistan when it was facing a near-war situation with India. India's Reaction On May 14, 2025, in response to media queries on the renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh by China, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said, 'We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically. Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.' Renaming is Not New Renaming places is not new. It has been done by all colonisers; India still remembers the British days. China has done it in a more systematic manner. After it invaded Tibet in 1950-51, Shigaste became Rìkazé or Xigatse, Sakya was Sa'gya, Metok, north of Arunachal's Upper Siang district, Mutao or Medog. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Apart from the cases of pure pinyinisation like the ones just mentioned, in many cases, names have been completely changed. Ngari province is now called Ali Prefecture (perhaps due Chinese faulty pronunciation who can't pronounce 'Ng' and 'r'); Kyirong at the border with Nepal is now Jilong, and worse, Barahoti in today's Uttarakhand is called Wuje, while Demchok in Ladakh is termed Parigas. First Renaming in Arunachal Pradesh In 2017 already, the Chinese Cabinet had announced the 'standardised names' for six places in Arunachal Pradesh. At that time, it looked like a childish reaction to the Dalai Lama's visit to the state a month earlier. The official names of the six places (transcribed in the Roman alphabet) were Wo'gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidengarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bumo La and Namkapub Ri. Let us have a look at a couple of them. Wo'gyainling is the new spelling for Urgyeling, the birthplace of Tsangyang Gyaltso, the Sixth Dalai Lama, a few kilometres south of Tawang town. One understands the political reasons why China would be so attached to the place. Beijing was not ready to accept that a Dalai Lama could be born outside Tibet. The situation has become more acute today with the recent announcement by the Dalai Lama that he will be reborn in the 'free world'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another place was Qoidengarbo Ri, for 'Chorten Karpo' or 'White Stupa'. It refers to Gorsam Chorten, the only large white stupa in the area (and the largest in Arunachal). It is not far from Zimithang, the tactical headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division during the 1962 war. The name 'Ri' or ridge in Tibetan, may refer to one of the ridges around the stupa. China knows that the Indian media will jump on this type of 'scoop'. This is fine; one can consider it as part of the Information Warfare (IW) against India, but the Indian media should just be aware of it. The Case of Sakteng in Bhutan In the map recently released with the 27 new names, China seems to have relinquished a claim on Sakteng, a Bhutanese area adjacent to the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Does it signal that Sakteng has now been accepted as part of Bhutan by China and that Beijing does not claim the place anymore? In itself it is good, but if it is part of a 'package deal' between China and Bhutan sometimes mentioned in the Indian press, it has other implications. Has a deal been arrived at or is such a deal in the pipeline? Only the future will show. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reaction from Arunachal MP In the meantime, Tapir Gao, the BJP Member of Parliament (MP) of Arunachal East constituency, slammed China for changing the names and urged Delhi to take steps to 'correct historical wrongs' by reclaiming areas inhabited by Lhoba Tani and Mishmi communities beyond the McMahon Line. He said that these communities living north of the Line share 'deep civilisational roots with Bharat', and it's time for India to reclaim the regions 'that are rightfully part of our country'. Gao further stated, 'China can rename mountains and rivers as much as it wants, but it cannot rewrite history…it is a deliberate and politically motivated attempt to distort geographical and cultural facts.' Gao has a point. India Could Claim More In this context, it is interesting to look at the discussions held in London, Delhi and Lhasa to fix the Red Line between India and Tibet in 1912-1914 and the different arguments used to arrive at a final decision in March 1914 (ie, the McMahon Line duly reported on a map and signed). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By June 1912, the Indian General Staff in London had decided it was necessary to fix a boundary between Tibet and India, notwithstanding the terms of the 1907 British pact with Russia in which London and St Petersburg agreed to settle their colonial disputes in Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet by delineating their respective spheres of influence in Persia, recognising Britain's influence over Afghanistan and stipulating that neither country would interfere in Tibet's internal affairs. The General Staff, however, thought that it was necessary to immediately do something in the Tawang sector; a note says, 'The demarcation of the frontier line about Tawang requires careful consideration. The present boundary (demarcated) is south of Tawang, running westwards along the foothills from near Udalgiri to the southern Bhutan border, and thus a dangerous wedge is thrust between the Miri country and Bhutan.' This referred to the Inner Line, which had another purpose; it was to protect the tea gardens in Assam from tribal raids; it was therefore not a boundary line, which was required. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The note of the General Staff continues: 'A comparatively easy and much-used trade route traverses this wedge from north to south, by which the Chinese would be able to exert influence or pressure on Bhutan, while we have no approach to this salient from a flank, as we have in the case of the Chumbi salient. A rectification of the boundary here is therefore imperative, and an ideal line would appear to be one from the knot of mountains to the Bhutan border north of Chona Dzong [Tsona] in a direct east and west line with the northern frontier of Bhutan. There appears to be a convenient watershed for it to follow.' It means that the border would have been located at Tsona, some 40 km north of the present one. It was also the proper 'ethnic' border since the entire Monyul (inhabited by the Monpa tribe) would have come under India's administration. Let us not forget that the Chinese (and the Russians) were nowhere in the picture; however, the proposal was unfortunately not accepted by the authorities in Delhi. This would have changed history …and the 1962 war would perhaps not have taken place; who knows. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD British historian Alistair Lamb commented, 'The Indian government, while becoming convinced of the need to take over some of the Tawang Tract, evidently concluded that a more southerly alignment would meet its requirements.' But the time has come to study the issue deeper, in particular the geography and the ethnic history of the area which has close civilisational ties with India, and bring up this issue with Beijing. Incidentally, it would be more correct that the line agreed upon by British India and the Government of Tibet under the 13th Dalai Lama in 1914 be called the 'McMahon-Shatra Line', since the map bears the signatures of both Sir Henry McMahon, India's Foreign Secretary, and Lonchen Shatra, the Tibetan Prime Minister. The writer is Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
China's Plan to Boost Birth Rates Is Paying Off-in New Zealand
China's ongoing efforts to raise its birth rate have seemingly contributed to a surge in New Zealand's top-performing stock. The a2 Milk Company, a major New Zealand dairy producer whose products are popular with Chinese consumers, saw its shares climb to 43 percent, Bloomberg reported. The implication is that investors anticipate a growing demand for infant formula and related products tied to potential demographic shifts in China, according to Bloomberg analysts. The news highlights how sweeping policy changes in China—boosting marriage rates and encouraging families—can create ripple effects for international consumer and export sectors. China's population decline and attempts to reverse it carry significant implications, not only domestically but also for global supply chains, trade and commodity markets. Analysts are watching whether China's policy causes meaningful shifts in demand for foreign products—particularly in sectors such as dairy and baby nutrition, which rely on the country's vast consumer base. China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024, with marriage registrations dropping to under 6.1 million couples, a decline from 7.68 million in 2023, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs. In response, China introduced new rules to streamline the marriage registration process, including removing the need for household registration books and allowing couples to register marriages outside their hometowns. This change is particularly relevant in a society where, as of 2020, more than 490 million people live away from their registered hometowns, the national census showed. Local governments have expanded incentives since 2021, including subsidies for children, extended maternity leave and housing support. In cities such as Hohhot, first-time parents can receive $1,400, with greater subsidies for subsequent children. The New Zealand-based a2 Milk Company, which derives 68 percent of its revenue from China and other Asian countries, outperformed all other stocks on the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 Index, Bloomberg reported. Jun Bei Liu, the founder and lead portfolio manager at Ten Cap in Sydney, named a2 as one of her top 10 stock picks. "We should see a better birth rate in the latter part of this year to early next year, and the company is very well-positioned for that rebound," she said, per Bloomberg. Greg Smith, the head of retail at Devon Funds Management in Auckland, said: "[A2 Milk] has become a proxy for the amount of consumer stimulus effectively in China, which is by far their biggest and most important market." Commenting on China's efforts to increase birth rates, Xiujian Peng, a senior research fellow at Victoria University's Centre of Policy Studies in Melbourne, previously told Newsweek: "Without comprehensive reforms, these efforts may have only a marginal effect on reversing declining fertility trends." "International experience suggests that more comprehensive policies tend to be more effective. For example, France successfully increased its fertility rate from 1.64 in 1993 to 1.8–1.9 between the 1990s and 2010s, while Denmark saw a rise from 1.38 in 1983 to 1.7–1.8 over the same period." The National People's Congress is expected to address further proposals, which may lower marriage age minimums and eliminate limits on childbirth. Meanwhile, global investors and exporters remain watchful for further policy shifts and their direct effects on international trade flows and consumer markets. Related Articles China Pauses Sanctions on US Companies in Trade War ClimbdownUpholding Religious Freedom Abroad Advances America's Vital National Interests | OpinionUS Ally Receives F-35 Boost for Future China FightChina Builds New Structure in Disputed Waters Claimed by US Ally 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Beijing releases new names in Zangnan, sparking India protest
Listen to article A renewed diplomatic row has erupted between India and China after Beijing released a fresh list of Chinese names for locations in Zangnan. India considers Zangnan to be part of its territory under the name Arunachal Pradesh. India's Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday issued a strong rebuke, calling the move a "vain and preposterous attempt" to assert sovereignty over Indian land. 'We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh,' said ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a written statement. Our response to media queries on renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh by China (May 14, 2025) 🔗 — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 14, 2025 'Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically. Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,' he added. The statement came after China's Ministry of Civil Affairs released a standardised list of names for 27 locations in the region, including 15 mountains, five residential areas, four mountain passes, two rivers, and one lake. According to a statement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zangnan is part of China based on history, geography, and administrative jurisdiction. The ministry said the naming of locations in the region is an internal matter. 'Zangnan is China's territory,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing. 'The Chinese government has standardised the names of some places in Zangnan, which is entirely within the scope of China's sovereignty.' India has consistently rejected China's territorial claims on Zangnan, which borders China's Tibet region. The two sides have clashed diplomatically and militarily over the region for decades. The latest war of words also follows New Delhi's move to block several Chinese state-run media accounts on X, formerly Twitter. Among those blocked were the official accounts of Xinhua News Agency and the Global Times, both known for echoing Beijing's official positions. The dispute over Zangnan is part of a broader, long-running border conflict between the two countries. In June 2020, a violent clash in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh left at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead — the most serious conflict between the two nations in over four decades. Although relations began to thaw last year with renewed diplomatic engagements and military disengagement in some contested zones, the situation remains fragile. India has repeatedly asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is a vital part of its territory and is governed under its constitutional framework. China, however, insists the area is part of historical Tibet, which it claims it annexed lawfully in the 1950s.
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
China Changes Marriage Rules Amid Efforts To Boost Birth Rates
China is easing restrictions on marriage registration as part of a broad campaign to address its shrinking population. New rules make it easier for couples to marry by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and expanding where registrations can take place, according to the English-language state-owned newspaper China Daily. The new rules reflect Beijing's urgency in combating a demographic crisis. In 2024, China's population fell for a third consecutive year, and fewer than 6.1 million couples registered their marriages, down from 7.68 million in 2023, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs. It comes after the national political adviser Chen Songxi recommended lowering the legal age for marriage to 18 to boost fertility chances in February—the legal age for marriage in China is 22 for men and 20 for women. The new marriage rules came into effect on Saturday, eliminating the requirement for household registration books, and allow couples to register in locations other than their permanent residence. This change is particularly relevant in a society where over 490 million people live away from their registered hometowns, as of 2020, according to the national census. The process now takes around 10 minutes, China Daily reports, and includes checking ID cards and photos of the newlyweds, guiding them through filling out forms and verifying information. In the first quarter of this year, China recorded 1.81 million marriage registrations, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This is eight percent less than the same period last year. Bian Zhihui, a registrar at a new office in Beijing, told China Daily: "Previously, the newlyweds needed to go to the places of their household registration and take the hukou booklets for marriage registration. From now on, they just need to show their ID cards to tie the knot at marriage registration offices anywhere in the country." Xiujian Peng, senior research fellow at Victoria University's Centre of Policy Studies in Melbourne, previously told Newsweek: "Without comprehensive reforms, these efforts may have only a marginal effect on reversing declining fertility trends." "International experience suggests that more comprehensive policies tend to be more effective. For example, France successfully increased its fertility rate from 1.64 in 1993 to 1.8–1.9 between the 1990s and 2010s, while Denmark saw a rise from 1.38 in 1983 to 1.7–1.8 over the same period." The National People's Congress is expected to review further proposals, including lowering the legal marriage age and removing all limits on childbirth. If enacted, these changes could mark a significant pivot from China's decades-long restrictive population policies, positioning the country to address its most pressing demographic challenges in the decades ahead. Related Articles The 1600: Air Force One, Courtesy of Qatar?The Tallest Dam in the World Begins Storing WaterThe Amateur Hour Presidency: Tariffs, Trade, and the High Cost of Chaos | OpinionDonald Trump Scores Four Diplomatic Victories 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Changes Marriage Rules Amid Efforts To Boost Birth Rates
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China is easing restrictions on marriage registration as part of a broad campaign to address its shrinking population. New rules make it easier for couples to marry by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and expanding where registrations can take place, according to the English-language state-owned newspaper China Daily. File photo of a nurse taking care of newborn babies in a maternity hospital in Fuyang in central China's Anhui province Monday, Aug. 08, 2022. File photo of a nurse taking care of newborn babies in a maternity hospital in Fuyang in central China's Anhui province Monday, Aug. 08, 2022. AP Why It Matters The new rules reflect Beijing's urgency in combating a demographic crisis. In 2024, China's population fell for a third consecutive year, and fewer than 6.1 million couples registered their marriages, down from 7.68 million in 2023, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs. It comes after the national political adviser Chen Songxi recommended lowering the legal age for marriage to 18 to boost fertility chances in February—the legal age for marriage in China is 22 for men and 20 for women. What To Know The new marriage rules came into effect on Saturday, eliminating the requirement for household registration books, and allow couples to register in locations other than their permanent residence. This change is particularly relevant in a society where over 490 million people live away from their registered hometowns, as of 2020, according to the national census. The process now takes around 10 minutes, China Daily reports, and includes checking ID cards and photos of the newlyweds, guiding them through filling out forms and verifying information. In the first quarter of this year, China recorded 1.81 million marriage registrations, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This is eight percent less than the same period last year. What People Are Saying Bian Zhihui, a registrar at a new office in Beijing, told China Daily: "Previously, the newlyweds needed to go to the places of their household registration and take the hukou booklets for marriage registration. From now on, they just need to show their ID cards to tie the knot at marriage registration offices anywhere in the country." Xiujian Peng, senior research fellow at Victoria University's Centre of Policy Studies in Melbourne, previously told Newsweek: "Without comprehensive reforms, these efforts may have only a marginal effect on reversing declining fertility trends." "International experience suggests that more comprehensive policies tend to be more effective. For example, France successfully increased its fertility rate from 1.64 in 1993 to 1.8–1.9 between the 1990s and 2010s, while Denmark saw a rise from 1.38 in 1983 to 1.7–1.8 over the same period." What Happens Next The National People's Congress is expected to review further proposals, including lowering the legal marriage age and removing all limits on childbirth. If enacted, these changes could mark a significant pivot from China's decades-long restrictive population policies, positioning the country to address its most pressing demographic challenges in the decades ahead.
