China’s Ministry of Natural Resources released its 2023 “standard map” asserting sovereignty over Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, a territory historically divided between China and Russia. While online narratives suggested the move sparked a rift between the two leaders, the Russian Foreign Ministry maintains the border issue was resolved by treaty nearly two decades ago. We reached out to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.
Why It Matters
The map release underscores how Beijing uses cartography as a geopolitical tool to reinforce territorial claims, even with close strategic partners. It tests the stability of the “no limits” partnership between Moscow and Beijing as Russia becomes increasingly reliant on Chinese economic and diplomatic support.
What To Know
The official map release took place in late August 2023 as part of China’s National Mapping Awareness Publicity Week. The document depicts the entirety of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island (known in China as Heixiazi) as Chinese territory, despite a 2004 agreement and a 2008 demarcation that split the island between the two nations.
Boundary disputes between the two countries were largely settled through a series of treaties in 1991 and 2004. According to official Russian documents, the demarcation of the 4,300-kilometer border was completed in 2008, and both sides have previously affirmed they have no unresolved territorial claims.
The release of the map does not establish a physical change in border control or a formal withdrawal from existing international treaties. On the ground, both nations continue to operate under the 2008 border settlement that assigned the eastern portion of the island to Russia and the western portion to China.
What People Are Saying
Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, said during an official briefing: “It is a routine practice in China’s exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law. We hope relevant sides can stay objective and calm, and refrain from over-interpreting the issue.”
Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, stated: “The Russian and Chinese sides adhere to the common position that the border issue between our countries has been finally resolved. Its settlement was marked by the ratification in 2005 of the Additional Agreement on the Russian-Chinese State Border.”
What Happens Next
Both nations are expected to continue routine border maintenance and joint inspections as part of their established diplomatic calendar. No formal treaty renegotiations have been scheduled or requested by either Moscow or Beijing following the map’s publication.
