China denies Ladakh’s status, local leaders slam claim

China’s foreign ministry asserted that it has never recognised Ladakh as part of its territory, a claim that provoked swift condemnation from local leaders in the region. On October 15, Chering Dorjay Lakrook, co‑chairman of the Leh Apex Body and head of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, said the statement was unacceptable and urged the Indian government to issue a strong rebuke. He reminded listeners that Ladakh has never belonged to China at any point in history and pledged that India will not relinquish any part of the area, including the disputed Aksai Chin held by Beijing. Former Chushul councillor Konchok Stanzin called Ladakh an inseparable part of India and recalled the sacrifice of youth who fought in the 1962 and 2020 border clashes, demanding that China withdraw its remarks. Ex‑MLA Deldan Namgyal, who hails from the Nubra valley surrounded by China and Pakistan, added that local residents have always defended Ladakh against Chinese aggression and affirmed loyalty to India and its symbols. Earlier, on October 13, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing never accepted the Union Territory of Ladakh created by India and rejected the “standardised names” released by Indian authorities for 28 geographical features. ## Context The dispute reflects a long‑standing border tension where China controls Aksai Chin while India administers the larger Ladakh region, and both sides regularly challenge each other’s maps and statements.