China shows displeasure towards Pakistan with PoK in India map
CGNT, China’s official broadcaster recently showcased Pakistan occupied Kashmir in a map as being a part of India. This decision of including PoK in India map has been seen as a test balloon floated the Chinese authorities to gauge Pakistan’s response.
This move is quite significant. It came just before the India-China military drill. The drill is scheduled for December 10. A debate is also going on regarding the Kartarpur issue.
CGTN showed PoK in India map while reporting the terror attack on its consulate in Karachi. This was seen as a signal that Beijing is extremely unhappy about the inability of Pakistan to protect its citizens.
CGTN uses fixed templates for maps. The production staff are not allowed to tinker with them. The huge decision to skip the use of the template could not have been taken usual production staff. Directors from higher authorities must have given that order.
Chinese authorities often use the official media as test balloons before considering policy changes in the domestic and international spheres.
Observers have warned that this one-time deviation from the norm should not be seen as a sign of change in China’s official policy. That statement holds true because the print-media in China has strayed clear of the map-related issue.
Officially released maps in China have never shown Pakistan occupied Kashmir as a part of India. Sources are saying that the official media could not have shown a different map without a signal from higher-ups in the Communist Party.
Maps are a very sensitive issue and topic in China. Chinese officials are known to routinely visit bookshops and scrutinise local media to make sure that maps of all countries are depicted exactly in the manner approved the authorities. Books and magazines that show different versions of maps from Beijing’s official view are blocked.
This was not a mistake. The PoK in India map is a clear sign of China’s displeasure towards Pakistan.
