China has put forward a fourth list featuring 30 additional names for various sites in Arunachal Pradesh, intensifying its stance on reaffirming its claim over the Indian state. Despite India's rejection of China's renaming efforts in Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing that the state is an integral part of India and renaming places doesn't change this reality.

According to reports from the state-run Global Times on Sunday, the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs disclosed the latest standardized geographical names in Zangnan, the Chinese designation for Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing asserts as part of southern Tibet.

The ministry's official website listed 30 new names for the region, slated to come into effect from May 1. The implementation measures outlined in Article 13 specify that names in foreign languages that may undermine China's territorial claims and sovereignty rights should not be directly used or translated without authorization.

China had previously released lists of standardized names, with the first list of six places in Zangnan issued in 2017, followed by a second list of 15 places in 2021, and another list featuring names for 11 places in 2023.

Recent developments saw China lodging a diplomatic protest with India following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, during which he inaugurated the Sela Tunnel situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet, aiming to provide all-weather connectivity to strategically important Tawang and facilitate troop movement in the frontier region.

Both the Chinese Foreign and Defence ministries have been vocal in reiterating China's claims over the area. However, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar rebuffed China's assertions, labeling them as "ludicrous" and affirming Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India during a lecture at the Institute of South Asian Studies.

China also expressed displeasure over a US statement recognizing Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory, with both the Chinese Foreign and Defence Ministries criticizing Washington's involvement, asserting that the boundary issue between China and India is bilateral and doesn't concern the US.

Regarding the latest release of names by the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Global Times noted that translations of place names in foreign or minority languages must adhere to standards set by relevant organs of the State Council. Standard translations are disseminated through official notices, the national geographical names database, and authorized publications, as per the implementation measures outlined.

The State Council had issued revised regulations on place names in April 2022, applicable to the naming, renaming, usage, cultural preservation, and other management aspects of geographical names within Chinese territories.

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