Analysis: China's new map a timed move to reassert its territorial claims, flex muscles ahead of regional summits
- New map reasserts China’s claim of Taiwan, overlaps territory with India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia and others
- Analysts say China is applying pressure on participants for the ASEAN and G-20 summits by advancing territorial claims
- Tensions could develop at the disputed territories between local forces and China’s military, according to a political expert
JOHOR BAHRU: China’s decision to publish a new map that lays its claim over the disputed South China Sea as well as land areas contested by India and Russia too is timed to cast a spotlight on these issues and reassert its position ahead of multilateral summits, say analysts.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit is scheduled for Sep 5 to 7 in Jakarta, Indonesia while the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit will be held in New Delhi, India from Sep 9 to 10. Chinese leaders are expected to attend both events.
Mr Allan Behm, director of the International and Security Affairs Program at The Australian Institute, said China’s intention for releasing the map at this time is akin to “stirring the pot” while keeping the issue of its territorial claims “on the boil”.
“With a number of important regional meetings about to take place, China appears to wish to re-apply pressure on conference and summit participants by advancing its (territorial) claims once again,” Mr Behm told CNA.
“The claims do not assist in bringing the discussions about competing claims any closer to conclusion. Neither does their re-assertion (further) complicate the negotiation of the current disputes and disagreements. It merely keeps them front of mind,” he added.
