Map on brochure of Chinese firm investing in Gujarat sparks controversy


New Delhi, 3 November, 2011

Brochure of Chinese firm that announced investment of $ 400 million in Gujarat today triggered controversy.

The heavy equipment manufacturing Chinese firm TBEA today signed a $ 400 million business deal with the Gujarat government in a function in Delhi. Maheshvar Sahu, Gujarat’s government’s Principal Secretary of Industry and Mines was present here and signed MoU on behalf of Gujarat government.

In the course of this function there was a business session in which Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan was present. When a journalist on the sidelines of a business session with Xinjiang governor raised an issue of a contentious Indian map on TBES company’s brochure, it sparked an argument between Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan and a journalist.

Zhang asked the journalist to “shut up” as he repeatedly questioned him about the map on the cover of a Chinese firm’s brochure that showed Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh as part of China and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as that of Pakistan.

The ambassador said the journalist “pushed, pushed, pushed” and that he repeatedly told him that it was a technical issue that would be sorted out. “We will handle this. We are working for friendlier ties with India…this will not help,” said Zhang. “We are handling this in a friendly way.” Zhang said he raised the issue with the company.

The joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs joint secretary Gautam Bambawale, who deals with China, was present at the meet.

Bambawale said he drew Zhang’s attention towards the map and that he accepted that it was wrong. “It is a private sector company (that has goofed up) and not the Chinese government.”

Officials down played the issue; saying even Indian companies have made similar mistakes in the past and that it did not reflect Beijing’s official position.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh, which India says its integral part, as its own.

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