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Customs authorities in China in eastern Shandong province have confiscated sixty thousand maps that "improperly identified" the self-governed island of Taiwan, which Chinese authorities considers part of its territory.

The maps, authorities said, also "omitted important islands" in the South China Sea, where China's territorial assertions conflict with those of its neighbors, including the Philippines and Vietnamese authorities.

The "violating" maps, destined for overseas markets, cannot be sold because they "threaten national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of China, officials confirmed.

Cartographic materials are a contentious issue for Chinese authorities and its regional competitors for reefs, maritime features and outcrops in the disputed maritime region.

Specific Compliance Issues

China Customs said that the maps also failed to include the nine-segment line, which outlines China's territorial assertion over the vast majority of the South China Sea.

The demarcation includes nine dashes which stretches hundreds of miles southeastward from its southern province of Hainan Island.

The seized maps also did not mark the sea border between China and Japan, officials confirmed.

Cross-Strait Status

Customs representatives explained the maps improperly identified "Taiwan province", without detailing what exactly the incorrect labeling was.

China considers self-ruled Taiwan as its sovereign land and has maintained the option of the use of force to take the island. But Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the mainland China, with its own governing document and democratically-elected leaders.

Geopolitical Disputes

Conflicts in the disputed maritime region flare up occasionally - just recently over the weekend, when maritime craft from Chinese authorities and the Philippines were involved in another confrontation.

Manila alleged a Chinese vessel of deliberately ramming and deploying water jets at a government-owned Philippine craft.

But Chinese officials stated the incident happened after the Philippine ship failed to heed continual notices and "moved perilously near" the Chinese vessel.

Historical Similar Cases

The Philippine government and Vietnam are also especially concerned to portrayals of the disputed maritime region in cartographic materials.

The popular motion picture from 2023 was banned in the Vietnamese market and modified in the Philippines for showing a maritime chart with the controversial demarcation.

The declaration from customs authorities did not specify where the intercepted items were planned for distribution. China produces much of the world's goods, from Christmas lights to stationery.

The confiscation of "non-compliant cartographic materials" by customs officials is frequently occurring - though the number of the maps confiscated in Shandong significantly exceeds previous confiscations. Merchandise that do not meet standards at the border control are eliminated.

In spring, border authorities at an air transportation hub in the coastal city seized a batch of 143 nautical charts that contained "obvious errors" in the national borders.

In August, customs officers in the northern province confiscated a pair of "violating cartographic materials" that, besides other problems, contained a "improper representation" of the Tibet's boundaries.