China reaffirms claims on Arunachal Pradesh, announces own names for six places

"China's Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on April 14 that it had standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabet the names of six places in 'South Tibet'...," China's state-run Global Times has said.

It  says  that the name the six places are: Wo'gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidêngarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bümo La and Namkapub Ri and the unilateral move is aimed at "reaffirming" China's claim over the state.

“The standardisation came amid China's growing understanding and recognition of the geography in South Tibet. Naming the places is a step to reaffirm China's territorial sovereignty to South Tibet,” said Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at Beijing's Minzu University of China, as quoted by Global Times.

China claims Arunahal Pradesh  as 'South Tibet', while India says it is an integral part of India and is inseparable from the country and the state has remained the bone of contention between the two neighbours for long.

China's move comes just days after the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, his seventh since he fled Tibet after the Chinese accession  and took refuge in India.

As the Tibetan spiritual leader toured Arunachal Pradesh, China warned India that it will take "necessary measures to defend its territorial sovereignty and interests."

China considers the Dalai Lama a "dangerous separatist" who wants to free Tibet from China.

Earlier this month Junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is also from the state, said, "Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India, and China should not object to his (the Dalai Lama) visit and interfere in India's internal affairs."