The Government of India has formally assigned standard names to 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing the country's official cartographic records amid the continuing boundary dispute with China.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the exercise was carried out in consultation with the Arunachal Pradesh government. The newly designated names have been incorporated into the official maps of the Survey of India, providing uniform legal, administrative and cartographic recognition to the identified locations.

The move comes against the backdrop of China's repeated attempts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as “South Tibet.” New Delhi has consistently rejected China's claims over the northeastern state and maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.

India Names 27 Places in Arunachal Pradesh | Counters China’s Renaming Claims | India-China Tensions

According to reports, China's People's Liberation Army(PLA) tested its new surface-to-air defence missile&nbsp;HQ-17A in the high-altitude region ahead of India, US military exercise near the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

Reports said earlier&nbsp;India and the US were set to conduct military exercises in Uttarkhand near the China border next month. China had conducted large-scale military exercise near Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island nation.

Reports claimed a missile hit a plane as China tested its HQ-17A short-range air defence missile.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sanctions-seven-taiwanese-officials-for-supporting-the-islands-independence-507265">Also Read:&nbsp;China sanctions seven Taiwanese officials&nbsp;</a>

What is the HQ-17A short-range air defence?

PLA's Xinjiang Military Command had commissioned the HQ-17&nbsp;air defence missile system this year after it first appeared during the National Day military parade in October 2019. The Global Times said HQ-17A air defence missile system is an integrated "search radar, guidance radar, air defence radar and command system". It is hosted on a vehicle and can conduct&nbsp;long-range detection and launch missiles while on the move.

Watch:&nbsp;China threatens war after visit by US lawmakers

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Reports claim the missile is based on the Russian Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile defence system. HQ-17 can also "data-link" with other Chinese systems.

The missile weighs&nbsp;165 kg and can intercept flying objects at a distance of 1.5 km to 15 km.

HQ-17A deployed with Xinjiang Military Command&nbsp;

The Xinjiang Military command is responsible for the India-China border area. Tensions between the two countries had peaked in June 2020 along the LAC as soldiers from both sides clashed leading to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and 4 PLA fighters. However, reports claimed the casualties among the PLA were much higher.

PLA's Xinjiang Military Command also received artillery and multiple rocket launch systems in January, China's state-run Global Times reported. The arsenal included self-propelled howitzer&nbsp;and multiple rocket launcher systems.

The reports said more units would get advanced gear as China ramps up its military along the Indian border.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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According to reports, China's People's Liberation Army(PLA) tested its new surface-to-air defence missile HQ-17A in the high-altitude region ahead of India, US military exercise near the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

According to reports, China's People's Liberation Army(PLA) tested its new surface-to-air defence missile HQ-17A in the high-altitude region ahead of India, US military exercise near the Line of Actual Control(LAC). Reports said earlier India and the US were set to conduct military exercises in Uttarkhand near the China border next month. China had conducted large-scale military exercise near Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island nation. Reports claimed a missile hit a plane as China tested its HQ-17A short-range air defence missile. Also Read: China sanctions seven Taiwanese officials What is the HQ-17A short-range air defence? PLA's Xinjiang Military Command had commissioned the HQ-17 air defence missile system this year after it first appeared during the National Day military parade in October 2019. The Global Times said HQ-17A air defence missile system is an integrated "search radar, guidance radar, air defence radar and command system". It is hosted on a vehicle and can conduct long-range detection and launch missiles while on the move. Watch: China threatens war after visit by US lawmakers Reports claim the missile is based on the Russian Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile defence system. HQ-17 can also "data-link" with other Chinese systems. The missile weighs 165 kg and can intercept flying objects at a distance of 1.5 km to 15 km. HQ-17A deployed with Xinjiang Military Command The Xinjiang Military command is responsible for the India-China border area. Tensions between the two countries had peaked in June 2020 along the LAC as soldiers from both sides clashed leading to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and 4 PLA fighters. However, reports claimed the casualties among the PLA were much higher. PLA's Xinjiang Military Command also received artillery and multiple rocket launch systems in January, China's state-run Global Times reported. The arsenal included self-propelled howitzer and multiple rocket launcher systems. The reports said more units would get advanced gear as China ramps up its military along the Indian border. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China tests air defence system in high altitude region: What is the HQ-17A?

Stressing that the Galwan clashes between India and China took the bilateral “relationship in a completely different direction”, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that managing relations with Beijing “ranks very high because there has been a complete departure from the norm."

Last year, the LAC border in eastern Ladakh saw a massive build-up by China’s People's Liberation Army which eventually led to clashes between India and Chinese armed forces in Galwan Valley in June.

India lost 20 soldiers in the clash, while China, though initially reluctant, finally accepted four deaths. However, there are credible reports to suggest that the toll from the Chinese side could be higher.

The Indian foreign minister pointed out that China didn't follow the treaties signed in the 1990s that called for peace and tranquillity at the border.

“There was a large Chinese military presence in a very operational mode that was brought to the border without, frankly, a good reason...Once India countered, it led to a very serious clash last June, in which a lot of lives were lost,” he said.

This year, however, both Indian and China managed to dial down the tempers and engaged in disengagement at Pangong Lake and Gogra post at the LAC. Earlier in the day, the&nbsp;Indian Army announced that both the armies completed the disengagement process and restored the pre-standoff ground position in the Gogra friction. But other friction points such as Hot Springs and Depsang plains are yet to be resolved.

The comments come even as plans are afoot for the first-ever Quad leaders level meet between India, the US, Japan and Australia later this month in Washington.&nbsp;

Speaking on the importance of the grouping, the EAM said, "The fact is that the days of unilateralism are over. Bilateralism has its own limits, and as Covid reminded us, multilateralism is simply not working well enough. The resistance to reforming the international organisations compel us to look for a more practical and immediate solution. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the case for the Quad.”.

The first Quad leaders level meeting was held in March virtually. The key outcome of that meeting was the Quad Covid vaccine initiative, in which vaccines will be produced in India for the Indo-Pacific region.

Stressing that the Galwan clashes between India and China took the bilateral “relationship in a completely different direction”, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that managing relations with Beijing “ranks very high because there has been a complete departure from the norm.

Stressing that the Galwan clashes between India and China took the bilateral “relationship in a completely different direction”, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that managing relations with Beijing “ranks very high because there has been a complete departure from the norm." Last year, the LAC border in eastern Ladakh saw a massive build-up by China’s People's Liberation Army which eventually led to clashes between India and Chinese armed forces in Galwan Valley in June. India lost 20 soldiers in the clash, while China, though initially reluctant, finally accepted four deaths. However, there are credible reports to suggest that the toll from the Chinese side could be higher. The Indian foreign minister pointed out that China didn't follow the treaties signed in the 1990s that called for peace and tranquillity at the border. “There was a large Chinese military presence in a very operational mode that was brought to the border without, frankly, a good reason...Once India countered, it led to a very serious clash last June, in which a lot of lives were lost,” he said. This year, however, both Indian and China managed to dial down the tempers and engaged in disengagement at Pangong Lake and Gogra post at the LAC. Earlier in the day, the Indian Army announced that both the armies completed the disengagement process and restored the pre-standoff ground position in the Gogra friction. But other friction points such as Hot Springs and Depsang plains are yet to be resolved. The comments come even as plans are afoot for the first-ever Quad leaders level meet between India, the US, Japan and Australia later this month in Washington. Speaking on the importance of the grouping, the EAM said, "The fact is that the days of unilateralism are over. Bilateralism has its own limits, and as Covid reminded us, multilateralism is simply not working well enough. The resistance to reforming the international organisations compel us to look for a more practical and immediate solution. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the case for the Quad.”. The first Quad leaders level meeting was held in March virtually. The key outcome of that meeting was the Quad Covid vaccine initiative, in which vaccines will be produced in India for the Indo-Pacific region.

Challenge to manage relation with China ranks high, says India’s foreign minister

China&#39;s defence ministry on Wednesday dismissed reports that Chinese military vehicles were patrolling inside Afghanistan, after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-chinese-security-forces-caught-patrolling-deep-inside-eastern-afghanistan-8008">WION published exclusive images</a> showing security forces making regular patrols.&nbsp;

Chinese defence ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said, &quot;Reports in foreign media of Chinese military vehicles patrolling inside Afghanistan do not accord with the facts.&quot;

The images showed Chinese security forces, ignoring international borders, made patrols in Afghanistan&#39;s far northeastern Little Pamir region, where the country shares a border with China.

Yujun explained that the two countries did work together in certain areas to fight terrorist activity and cross-border crime but dismissed the report outrightly. &nbsp;

&quot;In recent years, law enforcement bodies from China and Afghanistan, in accordance with a bilateral cooperation decision on strengthening border law enforcement, arranged to have joint law enforcement operations in border regions,&quot; Yang added.

In Afghanistan, a Kabul official also denied the report filed by WION, who asked not to be identified.&nbsp;

Independent military analysts had confirmed the images showed Chinese-manufactured military vehicles. &#39;&#39;The pictures show Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and Humvee-type vehicles. Both appear to be Chinese versions of common Western armoured vehicles,&#39;&#39; said Justin Bronk, a senior analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, in the earlier report.&nbsp;

China has long been concerned that instability in Afghanistan will spill over into the violence-prone Xinjiang region.&nbsp;

Hundreds have died in the region, which is home to the Muslim Uighur people, in recent years in unrest blamed by Beijing on Islamist militants.

Beijing is also working with Pakistan and the United States to broker peace talks to end Afghanistan&#39;s Taliban insurgency that has raged on for 15 years.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Independent military analysts had confirmed the images showed Chinese military vehicles in Afghanistan, ignoring international borders

China's defence ministry on Wednesday dismissed reports that Chinese military vehicles were patrolling inside Afghanistan, after WION published exclusive images showing security forces making regular patrols. Chinese defence ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said, "Reports in foreign media of Chinese military vehicles patrolling inside Afghanistan do not accord with the facts." The images showed Chinese security forces, ignoring international borders, made patrols in Afghanistan's far northeastern Little Pamir region, where the country shares a border with China. Yujun explained that the two countries did work together in certain areas to fight terrorist activity and cross-border crime but dismissed the report outrightly. "In recent years, law enforcement bodies from China and Afghanistan, in accordance with a bilateral cooperation decision on strengthening border law enforcement, arranged to have joint law enforcement operations in border regions," Yang added. In Afghanistan, a Kabul official also denied the report filed by WION, who asked not to be identified. Independent military analysts had confirmed the images showed Chinese-manufactured military vehicles. ''The pictures show Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and Humvee-type vehicles. Both appear to be Chinese versions of common Western armoured vehicles,'' said Justin Bronk, a senior analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, in the earlier report. China has long been concerned that instability in Afghanistan will spill over into the violence-prone Xinjiang region. Hundreds have died in the region, which is home to the Muslim Uighur people, in recent years in unrest blamed by Beijing on Islamist militants. Beijing is also working with Pakistan and the United States to broker peace talks to end Afghanistan's Taliban insurgency that has raged on for 15 years. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

WION Impact: China dismisses report of military patrols in Afghanistan