KMC Mayor Balendra Shah cancels China tour saying China did not include Nepal's new map
KATHMANDU, AUGUST 31
China's 2023 standard map editioned by the Ministry of Natural Resources has blatantly ignored the new map endorsed by the federal Parliament of Nepal.
At the outset, India in November 2019 released its map including three areas of Nepal - Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalalapani as its territory. When Nepal tried to hold table talk with India, it was ignored. After that, the then government led by KP Sharma Oli released a new map incorporating the three geographical areas.
The issue remains unresolved. Now, it has become a trilateral issue. After China failed to consider the map endorsed by Nepal.
On Monday, China editioned its 2023 map with India's Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin in it. The map has explicitly failed to recognise the new map of Nepal with a pointed area on the northwest side. It has included the old map of Nepal.
China's Ministry of Natural Resources released the 2023 edition of the standard national map on Monday, which caused dissatisfaction in India due to boundary disputes: India claims China's Zangnan (South Tibet) region and Aksai Chin region as its territory, according to China's national daily Global Times.
The map dispute has stirred disputes between India and China. India has lodged a protest against the Chinese map too, but Nepal is yet to have its say in the matter regarding both neighbouring countries failing to address the issue of Nepal' territorial sovereignty.
According to Indian media, an Indian ministry of external affairs spokesperson said India rejects claims of the Chinese side and has lodged 'a strong protest through diplomatic channels,' according to the Global Times.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a routine press briefing yesterday that releasing the new standard national map 'is a routine practice in China's exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law. We hope the relevant sides can stay objective and calm, and refrain from over-interpreting the issue," according to Global Times.
When THT tried to find out Nepal's stance on the issue. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Joint-secretary Sewa Lamsal said, "We are aware of the situation. But it is a highly sensitive issue. Therefore, we are studying the matter to take our stance."
"The ministry is aware of the map dispute. We are studying the matter to reply to the related stakeholders. The issue is of national concern. Hence, we are trying to understand our position," she told THT. "But for the time being, we do not have much to say on this matter."
PM Dahal is visiting China soon. He is expected to give more emphasis to the issue of China's new map.
"Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will be touring China soon. We have not finalised the date yet. But most probably this will be one of the major topics of discussion during his visit, " she said. "I don't have any information regarding Mayor Balen's cancellation of his China Visit," She added.
Meanwhile, Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayor Balendra Shah has cancelled his upcoming visit to China stating that China had failed to include the new map of Nepal.
Taking to his official social media handle today, Mayor Shah said, "This is a wrong step taken by China, ignoring the sentiments of Nepal and depicting Nepal's territory as India's."
"On 20 May 2020, Nepal unveiled a new map with pointed spurs in the northwest including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalalapani. However, a few days ago, China's Ministry of Natural Resources released a map with the previous map of Nepal," reads his post."Therefore, today I have decided to cancel my five-day visit to China based on my ethics."
A version of this article appears in the print on September 1, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
