Neha Patil (Editor)

Territorial changes of the People's Republic of China

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Since its formation on 1 October 1949 the People's Republic of China's territorial claims have frequently been revised.

Contents

Until 1986, the total territory (or under control) of P.R.China was 10.45 million km2, including:

  • Continental mainland: ~9.40 million km2
  • Islands and reefs: ~75,400 km2
  • Coastal beaches and shoaly lands: ~12,700 km2
  • Inner sea (mainly Bohai Sea): ~693,000 km2
  • Territorial (sea only) waters: ~220,000 km2

    • During the 1990s and 2000s, the official size and value of China's territory is rarely officially declared or published, partly because of the frequent and ongoing changes in their territorial claims.

    1949-1959

  • 1 October 1949. The establishment of the People's Republic of China was officially announced by Mao Zedong on the Tiananmen in Beijing.13 October 1949 Incorporation of Xinjiang into the People's Republic of China.
  • 1 May 1950, the Island of Hainan was fully under control of PLA.
  • 19 May 1950, the largest archipelago of China - Zhoushan, was fully under control of PLA.
  • 23 May 1951, area of Tibet Autonomous Region was claimed as an annex to the People's Republic of China.

    • 1960-1969

  • 21 November 1962, China won the military victory of Sino-Indian War but withdrew to the pre-war boundaries. Since then, India maintains control of North-East Frontier Agency area; China controls areas of Aksai Chin (~30,000 /33,444 km2) and Trans-Karakoram Tract (5,181 km2). See article: Sino-Indian War.
  • 1969, after Sino-Soviet border conflict, Soviet Union controlled Zhenbao Island (see article: Sino-Soviet border conflict). (Extra mark: Control of Zhenbao Island later was granted to China in the 2000s, see article: 1991 Sino-Russian border agreement).

    • 1970-1979

  • 25 October 1971, The People's Republic of China replaced the UN seat of Republic of China (in Taiwan). The PRC claims Taiwan as a province of it, despite never having gained control of it. See articles: China and the United Nations, Political status of Taiwan.
  • 19 January 1974, after the Battle of the Paracel Islands, China controls over the Paracel Islands and surrounding waters. See article: Battle of the Paracel Islands.

    • 1980-1989

  • 14 March 1988, after the Johnson South Reef Skirmish, China controls (at least) 6 reefs in the South China Sea: Fiery Cross Reef, Cuarteron Reef, Hugh Reef/Hughes Reef, Nanxun Jiao/Nanxun Reef, Subi Reef, Chigua Jiao/Chigua Reef, and surrounding waters. See article Johnson South Reef Skirmish.

    • 1990-1999

  • 1991, after the 1991 Sino-Russian Border Agreement, many segments of territories and islands along the border between China and Russia were transferred to China. See article: 1991 Sino-Russian Border Agreement.
  • 1 July 1997, Hong Kong, leased to the British for 99 years, (1,104 km2) returned to Chinese control. See article Transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong.
  • 1998-1999, the Sino-Russian-North Korean border was fixed.
  • 20 December 1999, Macau (29.2 km2) was handed to China. See article: Transfer of sovereignty of Macau.

    • 2000-2009

  • 14 October 2004 – 2 June 2005, a treaty establishing the eastern border between P.R.China and Russia was signed by P.R.China and Russia. It's said China "regained 337 km2" territory. See Russian article: Демаркация российско-китайской границы (2005); Chinese article: 中华人民共和国和俄罗斯联邦关于中俄国界东段的补充协定.
  • September 2008 – 2009, the border between China and Tajikistan was surveyed. It's said that China "regained more than 1,000 km2".
  • 31 December 2008, the borderline between P.R.China and Vietnam was determined, but detailed information hasn't yet been published.
  • 2009, the artificial land (mainland China only) built by the nation would be 150 km2.

    • 2011

  • 12 January: The Tajikistan parliament ratifies a deal ceding approximately 1000 square kilometres to China.

    • 2012

  • 2012, after Scarborough Shoal standoff, P.R.China gains control over some parts of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea but the claims are still going on. in

    • References

    Territorial changes of the People's Republic of China Wikipedia
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