Aksai Chin (Urdu: اکسای چن, Chinese: 阿克赛钦, Ākèsàiqīn) is a high-altitude region covering about 37,555 km² (16,481 sq mi) located where the territories of China, Pakistan, and India meet. The area makes up roughly one-fifth of the larger Kashmir region (Kashmir) and is one of the most arid plateaus on Earth.
Landscape and climate
Aksai Chin is a sparsely populated, elevated desert plain on the Tibetan Plateau. The surface includes salt-encrusted flats and patches of loose sand; it is sometimes referred to as the "Soda Plain." Elevations in the region reach approximately 4,500 metres above sea level. Because the surrounding mountain ranges block moisture from the Indian monsoon, the area receives very little precipitation and is effectively cold and dry for most of the year. The landform is best described as a high-altitude desert with significant deposits of salt.
Political control and claims
The territory is administered by China, but it is claimed by the Republic of India. Pakistan has recognised Chinese administration over Aksai Chin. This area forms one of the primary unresolved border issues between India and China; the other major disagreement involves Arunachal Pradesh.
Historical notes on cartography and dispute
Maps and documentary evidence play a central role in the dispute. Chinese authorities have produced maps that include Aksai Chin within their state boundaries; some historic charts attributed to Chinese military and defence offices are cited by Beijing as supporting material. The provenance and publication history of certain early 20th-century maps shown in negotiations have been questioned by other parties, and scholars note that map evidence alone does not settle the complex political and legal claims.
Map showing it as part of China
Map as claimed by India
Area figures are commonly reported as 37,555 km² (16,481 sq mi), though precise boundaries depend on which claim line is used. Because of its altitude, harsh climate and lack of permanent water, Aksai Chin has almost no resident population and only occasional transient shepherds or patrol units from the governments that control or contest it.