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Customs authorities in China in the coastal province of Shandong have confiscated sixty thousand maps that "incorrectly labeled" the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

The maps, officials stated, also "omitted important islands" in the South China Sea, where China's territorial assertions clash with those of its regional neighbors, including the Philippine government and Vietnam.

The "problematic" maps, c intended for foreign distribution, cannot be sold because they "endanger national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of China, officials confirmed.

Maps are a contentious issue for China and its regional competitors for coral formations, maritime features and rock formations in the disputed maritime region.

Detailed Violations

China Customs stated that the maps also omitted the nine-dash boundary, which defines China's territorial assertion over almost the whole South China Sea.

The line comprises nine dashes which stretches hundreds of miles south and east from its southern province of Hainan Island.

The intercepted cartographic items also failed to indicate the maritime boundary between mainland China and Japan, authorities said.

Cross-Strait Status

Customs representatives explained the maps mislabelled "the Taiwan region", without specifying what exactly the improper identification was.

China sees self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has maintained the option of the use of force to take the island. But Taiwan considers itself separate from the Chinese mainland, with its own governing document and popularly chosen officials.

Regional Disputes

Tensions in the disputed maritime region flare up occasionally - in recent days over the weekend, when maritime craft from Chinese authorities and the Philippine government figured in another incident.

Philippine authorities alleged a Chinese ship of intentionally colliding with and using water cannons at a government-owned Philippine craft.

But Beijing claimed the encounter happened after the Philippine vessel disregarded multiple alerts and "moved perilously near" the Chinese vessel.

Previous Similar Cases

The Philippines and Vietnam are also especially concerned to depictions of the disputed maritime region in maps.

The Barbie movie from 2023 was banned in the Vietnamese market and edited in the Philippine release for showing a maritime chart with the nine-segment boundary.

The statement from customs authorities did not say where the confiscated materials were destined for sale. China provides much of the global merchandise, from holiday decorations to stationery.

The confiscation of "problematic maps" by Chinese customs officers is frequently occurring - though the amount of the maps intercepted in the Shandong region substantially surpasses past seizures. Products that fail inspection at the customs are disposed of.

In spring, border authorities at an airport in the coastal city seized a batch of 143 marine maps that featured "clear mistakes" in the sovereign limits.

In August, customs officers in Hebei province intercepted two "non-compliant charts" that, besides other problems, featured a "misdrawing" of the the Tibet region's limits.