China has a problem with Bangladesh textbooks showing Arunachal, Aksai Chin in India, but…

According to Prothom Alo, a Bengali-language daily newspaper in Bangladesh, citing diplomatic sources, China wrote to Bangladesh in the last week of November, requesting corrections to the maps and information in the textbooks and on the survey department’s website.

After this, discussions were held between the two countries on the issue. However, in response to Bangladesh’s request, China has decided not to apply pressure on the matter for the time being, added the report.

According to the report, sources said that in response to China’s objections, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consulted the Ministry of Education and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).

The NCTB informed them that the printing of new textbooks was already complete, making corrections impossible at this stage. Questions also arose about the feasibility of making abrupt amendments but Bangladesh requested China to refrain from applying pressure and assured that the issue would be addressed later, added the report.

The so-called “factual discrepancies” cited by China have been printed in this manner for a long time and analysts believe China has raised the issue due to the shifting political landscape following the student-led uprising on August 5 and the increased tensions between Bangladesh and India, reported Prothom Alo.

Beijing claims that the Bangladesh and Global Studies textbook for Class 4 in Ebtedayee madrasa contains a map of the Asian region, in which the territorial boundaries between China and India have been inaccurately marked, particularly with regard to Zangnan (China’s official name for Arunachal Pradesh) and Aksai Chin. Moreover, the Bangladesh and Global Studies textbook for students of classes 9 and 10 includes a list of Bangladesh’s export destinations, in which Hong Kong and Taiwan have been incorrectly designated as countries.

Regarding the map displayed on the website of Bangladesh’s Land Survey Department, China asserts that Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin have been incorrectly depicted along the China-India border. Taiwan has been referred to as a country, which China considers erroneous.

China asserts that the status of Zangnan (Arunachal Pradesh) and Aksai Chin was established in ancient times and is indisputable. It claims sovereignty over these territories as essential to national integrity and insists that borders must be accurately represented.

Regarding Taiwan, China argues that the One China policy is a fundamental principle of international relations, based on global consensus. It maintains that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory and that the Chinese government is the only legitimate authority over the entire country. Consequently, any misrepresentation of Taiwan is considered unacceptable.

Since July 1, 1997, China has exercised sovereignty over Hong Kong following negotiations with the United Kingdom. Under the One Country, Two Systems policy, Hong Kong is a special administrative region with a high degree of autonomy, but it remains part of the People’s Republic of China and cannot be classified as a separate country.

Highlighting its historical ties with Bangladesh, China has emphasized mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The two countries have strengthened their relationship by supporting each other’s core interests and addressing mutual concerns through cooperation. As a result, Bangladesh and China have built a strong, stable, and sustainable partnership. In this context, Beijing said it expects Bangladesh to uphold historically settled matters and the One China policy.

China has urged Bangladesh to take its concerns about inaccuracies seriously, ensure their correction, and implement measures to prevent future errors.

However, according to the report, citing several former senior diplomats of Bangladesh, Dhaka has never previously encountered such objections from China regarding maps.

The diplomats suggested that, in light of recent border conflicts between China and India, both nations are now taking steps to finalise new maps. Consequently, China appears to be seeking Bangladesh’s recognition of this effort in its representations, they added.

Bangladesh typically follows internationally recognised methods and institutions when using global maps.
Given this, diplomats said, rather than addressing the matter publicly, Bangladesh could discretely communicate to China that there is currently no scope to make such changes in textbooks.
Moreover, any future modifications would be undertaken in accordance with internationally recognised procedures, they added.