In a big move, the Chinese state-sponsored TV channel CGTN has shown Pakistan occupied Kashmir as a part of the Indian state of J&K in one of their recent telecasts.
While reporting the Friday attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi, the channel showed Pakistan administered Kashmir as Indian territory. The map demarcated Pakistan from India and the area marked as Pakistan in the map did not include PoK. This has long been demanded by the Indian government.
It is yet to be established if this is Chinese state’s official stand or a calibrated move to goad Pakistan into taking stern action against the Baloch rebels responsible for the Karachi attack. Baloch rebels have been vehemently protesting against the construction of CPEC corridor that passes through Balochistan.
Portraying entire state of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India will also have profound ramifications for China-Pakistan relationship which are considered allies. The entire Kashmir, including PoK which has been illegally occupied by Pakistan, is Indian territory, a rightful claim long disputed by Pakistan. The map used by the channel might just trigger a response from Islamabad.
CGTN was earlier known as CCTV-9 and CCTV News, owned by the state-sponsored China Global Television Network group and part of the China Central Television, based in Beijing.
