Asian Games 2023

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• India – China Border Dispute
• Stapled Visa Row
• The Asian Games
• News Summary: Asian Games 2023

Why in news?

• Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur called off his trip to China on the eve of the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games.
• This was after three athletes — all wushu martial arts players — from Arunachal Pradesh were denied accreditation cards and instead offered stapled visas by China.
  • Accreditation cards have the dual purpose of being an ID card for the Asian Games as well as a visa.

India – China Border Dispute

• Western Sector (Disputed sector) –
  • This comprises the Aksai Chin sector. A region that originally was a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is claimed by China as part of its autonomous Xinjiang region.
  • After the 1962 war, it is administered by China. It is the second largest Indo-China border area covering over 38000 sq. km. However, it is an uninhabited land.
  • While India claims the entire Aksai Chin territory as well as the Shaksgam valley (Indian territory gifted to China by Pakistan), China contests Indian control over Daulat Beg Oldi (a tehsil in Leh, south of Aksai Chin)
• Central Sector
  • The 625 km boundary of this sector is least controversial between two nations. There is no major disagreement over boundary in this region.
• Border Dispute in Eastern Sector: McMahon Line
  • The disputed boundary in the Eastern Sector of the India-China border is over the McMahon Line.
    • Representatives of China, India and Tibet in 1913-14 met in Shimla to settle the boundary between Tibet and India, and Tibet and China.
    • During the Shimla conference, Sir Henry McMahon, the then foreign secretary of British India, drew up the 550 mile (890 km) McMahon Line as the border between British India and Tibet.
  • The McMahon line moved British control substantially northwards. This agreement ceded Tawang and other Tibetan areas to the imperial British Empire.
    • Though the Chinese representatives at the meeting initialled the agreement, they subsequently refused to accept it.
    • Subsequently, the Chinese government stated that it does not recognize the "illegal" McMahon Line.
    • China accuses India of occupying areas in Arunachal, which it calls part of Southern Tibet.
  • The Arunachal Pradesh border, that China claims to be its own territory, is the largest disputed area, covering around 90000 sq. km.
  • During the 1962 war, the People’s Liberation Army occupied it but they announced a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew respecting the McMahon Line.

Stapled Visa Row

• What is a stapled visa?
  • A stapled visa is simply an unstamped piece of paper that is attached by a pin or staples to a page of the passport and can be torn off or detached at will.
  • This is different from a regular visa that is affixed to the passport by the issuing authority and stamped.
• Stapled visas issued by China
  • China has made it a practice to issue stapled visas to Indian nationals from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
  • It says the visas are valid documents, but the Government of India has consistently refused to accept this position.
  • China began issuing stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh in the mid-2000s and to those from Jammu and Kashmir from 2009.
  • China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.
  • The Indian government has refused to accept the stapled visas as valid documents.
  • China's actions are seen as attempts to challenge India's control and authority over parts of its own territory.

The Asian Games

• About
  • The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, are a multi-sport event that takes place every four years. The games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympics.
  • The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) organizes the games, which have 45 participating countries or regions.
  • The 19th edition of the Asian Games is being held in Hangzhou, China (from September 23 to October 8).
    • The 18th Asian Games were held in Indonesia in 2018.
• Background
  • The Asian Games were first held in 1951, soon after the end of World War II.
  • These games were advocated by Nehru, the first PM of India, who wished to reestablish the bonds between Asian countries that had been broken in the war through sports, and contribute to everlasting peace in Asia.
  • The 1st Games were held in New Delhi, with 11 participating countries, including Japan.

Q1) What is Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)?

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a regional governing body for sports in Asia. It is responsible for organizing and promoting sporting events within the continent of Asia, with a primary focus on Olympic sports. The OCA is similar in function to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but it specifically oversees sports activities and events in the Asian region.

Q2) What is wushu martial arts?

Wushu is a traditional Chinese martial art that encompasses a wide range of techniques and forms, incorporating both armed and unarmed combat. It is often practiced for self-defense, physical fitness, artistic expression, and as a competitive sport. Wushu is characterized by its fluid, graceful, and acrobatic movements, making it visually impressive and appealing.

Source: Asian Games 2023: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur cancels China trip after Arunachal Pradesh athletes are denied entry | 20^th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 | Indian Express