Accra:China voiced its opposition on Tuesday to India's announcement of names for areas disputed between the two countries. Beijing has stated that it has "never recognized the so-called 'Union Territory of Ladakh,'" which it claims was unilaterally and illegally established by India. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Mao Ning, expressed firm opposition to India's announcement of what they described as "so-called standard names."

According to Anadolu Agency, these remarks from China followed a statement from the Indian Home Affairs Ministry earlier this month that announced names for 28 places, including those in disputed border areas. Mao Ning asserted that the naming move is illegal and invalid, claiming that it cannot alter the fact that the relevant areas in the western sector of the China-India boundary have always belonged to China.

In response, New Delhi asserted that the Union Territory of Ladakh is an "integral and inalienable" part of India. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that "no amount of denial by the Chinese side can change this established fact." They emphasized that identifying these places on the Survey of India map of the Union Territory of Ladakh is meant to facilitate accurate recognition and increase public awareness.

A military standoff in Ladakh between the two countries' border forces, which began in 2019, lasted over four years and significantly strained bilateral relations, marking the lowest point in six decades.