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

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

The "violating" maps, c intended for foreign distribution, cannot be sold because they "compromise national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of the People's Republic of China, customs representatives stated.

Cartographic materials are a contentious issue for China and its regional competitors for coral formations, islands and outcrops in the disputed maritime region.

Detailed Violations

China Customs stated that the maps also failed to include the nine-dash line, which defines China's territorial assertion over nearly the entire South China Sea.

The line comprises nine lines which runs numerous nautical miles southeastward from its most southerly province of Hainan.

The confiscated materials also failed to indicate the maritime boundary between China and Japan, officials confirmed.

Taiwan Situation

Officials stated the maps mislabelled "the Taiwan region", without specifying what exactly the incorrect labeling was.

China considers self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has maintained the option of the use of military action to take the island. But Taiwanese authorities considers itself separate from the mainland China, with its own constitution and popularly chosen officials.

Regional Disputes

Tensions in the South China Sea flare up occasionally - in recent days over the weekend, when maritime craft from Chinese authorities and the Philippines were involved in another incident.

Manila claimed a Chinese ship of deliberately ramming and using water cannons at a Philippine government vessel.

But Beijing claimed the encounter happened after the Philippine vessel disregarded multiple alerts and "dangerously approached" the Chinese vessel.

Historical Precedents

The Philippines and Vietnam are also particularly sensitive to representations of the disputed maritime region in maps.

The Barbie movie from 2023 was prohibited in the Vietnamese market and modified in the Philippines for showing a maritime chart with the nine dash line.

The announcement from China Customs did not indicate where the confiscated materials were intended to be sold. China provides much of the international products, from holiday decorations to stationery.

The confiscation of "problematic maps" by customs officials is frequently occurring - though the quantity of the maps seized in Shandong substantially surpasses earlier interceptions. Goods that do not meet standards at the border control are destroyed.

In March, customs officers at an air transportation hub in Qingdao seized a shipment of one hundred forty-three navigation charts that contained "clear mistakes" in the sovereign limits.

In late summer, border authorities in Hebei province seized two "non-compliant charts" that, in addition to other issues, contained a "incorrect depiction" of the Tibet's boundaries.