China’s New Map Sparks Controversy Over Territorial Claims, Including Russian Land

China's unveiling of a new national map created a diplomatic tsunami across Asia, prompting condemnation from Russia and other countries for its bold territorial claims. This new map, which depicts China's borders and territorial authority and includes Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island, a geographical mass whose ownership was previously settled between Beijing and Moscow, has greatly increased tensions between the two countries. The measure has complicated the region's geopolitical landscape by diverging from China's already fragile relations with its neighbors.

China’s claim over Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island, near the Chinese-Russian boundary at the intersection of the Amur and Ussiri Rivers, sparks much controversy regarding the new map. For decades, the sovereignty of this island was a contentious issue dividing the two nations that had multiple diplomatic disputes and even military engagements in the 20th century. But apparently closing doors, both countries struck a deal splitting the island between China and Russia, therefore resolving the war. Approved by both governments, this agreement was crucial in verifying the growing cooperation between the two great nations.

Despite this history of cooperation, China’s updated national map seems to go against the island’s current position. Outlook, an Indian publication, argues that by depicting total Chinese control over Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island, the new map basically removes Russia’s share of the territory. Long believing the matter was resolved, the Kremlin saw this provocative behavior immediately.