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A May 2 tweet from China's CGTN says Mt. Everest peak is "located in China" (deleted, screenshot below).
One week later (today, May 10), Indian news agency ANI runs a story on this (link below), calls it "a surprising move." https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/china-trying-to-consolidate-position-in-tibet-by-highlighting-mt-everest-on-tibetan-side-says-expert20200510105824/
Interesting...
THREAD 1/8
One week later (today, May 10), Indian news agency ANI runs a story on this (link below), calls it "a surprising move." https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/china-trying-to-consolidate-position-in-tibet-by-highlighting-mt-everest-on-tibetan-side-says-expert20200510105824/
Interesting...
THREAD 1/8
2/8: Geography
First of all, there is nothing "surprising": Mt Everest is, in fact, located as much in China as Nepal. You can trek up from both sides. The summit is shared with Nepal, the international border running across it, based on Apr 1960 Sino-Nepalese agreement.
First of all, there is nothing "surprising": Mt Everest is, in fact, located as much in China as Nepal. You can trek up from both sides. The summit is shared with Nepal, the international border running across it, based on Apr 1960 Sino-Nepalese agreement.
3/8 Timing / Delay
Why is India's ANI running a story on this random tweet, one week later, calling it a "surprising move," even asking for an expert comment (on unrelated issues: 5G on Mt Everest to snoop on Dalai Lama? Techies, pls tell me if I am missing sth here!). Bizarre...
Why is India's ANI running a story on this random tweet, one week later, calling it a "surprising move," even asking for an expert comment (on unrelated issues: 5G on Mt Everest to snoop on Dalai Lama? Techies, pls tell me if I am missing sth here!). Bizarre...
4/8 Timing/Sikkim
Given China's past behavior in the South China Sea, Doklam/Bhutan, Himalayas etc., understandable concerns in India. So maybe someone at ANI was just over-excited today, esp. after news that Chinese and Indian troops clashed yesterday along the Sikkim border?
Given China's past behavior in the South China Sea, Doklam/Bhutan, Himalayas etc., understandable concerns in India. So maybe someone at ANI was just over-excited today, esp. after news that Chinese and Indian troops clashed yesterday along the Sikkim border?
5/8 Timing/Nepal
But still, Mt Everest is none of India's business. So I'm not surprised Nepalis are seeing this as an Indian attempt to deflect attention from another dispute that flared up yesterday, after India announced a new road through #Lipulekh territory claimed by Nepal.
But still, Mt Everest is none of India's business. So I'm not surprised Nepalis are seeing this as an Indian attempt to deflect attention from another dispute that flared up yesterday, after India announced a new road through #Lipulekh territory claimed by Nepal.
6/8 Timing/Nepal
Governments of Nepal and India exchanged curt statements yesterday, and Nepali public opinion is visibly upset, with the hashtag #BackOffIndia trending.
The dispute is complex but interestingly also has an India-China dimension (trijunction + 2015 agreement).
Governments of Nepal and India exchanged curt statements yesterday, and Nepali public opinion is visibly upset, with the hashtag #BackOffIndia trending.
The dispute is complex but interestingly also has an India-China dimension (trijunction + 2015 agreement).
7/8 Geography/India
Finally: ironic to see outrage on Indian social media about CGN's Everest tweet. Every Indian learns that her/his country's highest peak is Mt. Kanchenjunga. Well...surprise: it is located in India but shared with Nepal + intl border across summit!
Finally: ironic to see outrage on Indian social media about CGN's Everest tweet. Every Indian learns that her/his country's highest peak is Mt. Kanchenjunga. Well...surprise: it is located in India but shared with Nepal + intl border across summit!
8/8 END
Anyway, I will now leave the virtual Himalayan Twitterlands and go back to enjoying my real Sunday down here in the Gangetic plains.
Anyway, I will now leave the virtual Himalayan Twitterlands and go back to enjoying my real Sunday down here in the Gangetic plains.
