Journalist and Chinese Ambassador argued about the distorted map
NEW DELHI: On Thursday at a New Delhi hotel, distorted Indian map showing parts of India in China and Pakistan led to an argument between Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan and a journalist on the sidelines of a business session with Xinjiang governor.
When journalist asked about the issue, Zhang told 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 heavy equipment manufacturing firm signed a $ 400 million business deal with the Gujarat government earlier in the day.
Journalist replied the Zhang saying, “This is not China…it is India. We have full freedom here. How can you ask a journalist to shut up, if he is asking you something”?
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. “So what can I do for you?”
The journalist said he just asked the ambassador for his comments and that he had no business to be agitated. The two were later seen shaking hands, as Chinese officials tried damage control with one of them asking the journalist “to sort this out in a friendly way”.
