Moscow Finally Reacts to New Chinese Maps but May have Made Its Own Position Worse

 Paul Goble

            Staunton, Aug. 31 – When the Chinese government published new official maps showing parts of India and the Russian Federation being within the borders of China, New Delhi reacted immediately; but Moscow didn’t (windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2023/08/india-has-protested-but-russia-hasnt.html).

            Now, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Mariya Zakharova has reacted; but she has done so by denying the obvious, claiming that the maps, even though they were officially approved by the Chinese government, don’t reflect the reality of the situation (mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1902282/).

            According to her, “the Russian and Chinese sides adhere to a common position regarding the fact that the border issue between our two countries has been finally resolves … The delimitation and demarcation of our common border has been completed along its entire length, including on the Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island.”

            This was achieved after “many years of effort by both sides, a reflection of the high level of relations between the two countries,” Zakharova said; and represents “an important contribution to ensuring security and stability in the region and a successful example of resolving border disputes for all countries in the world.”

            That some maps published in one or the other country do not reflect this reality only shows that those who prepare them don’t know what the real conditions are like. And many ordinary Russians will view this failure to condemn the Chinese maps as Russian kowtowing to China and fear that Moscow in fact is selling out the Far East.