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Customs authorities in China in the coastal province of Shandong have seized sixty thousand maps that "incorrectly labeled" the self-governed island of Taiwan, which Chinese authorities considers part of its sovereign land.

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

The "problematic" 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, authorities said.

Maps are a sensitive topic for China and its rivals for coral formations, maritime features and outcrops in the disputed maritime region.

Detailed Compliance Issues

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

The line comprises nine dashes which stretches numerous nautical miles southeastward from its southernmost province of Hainan Island.

The seized maps also failed to indicate the maritime boundary between mainland China and Japan, authorities said.

Cross-Strait Situation

Customs representatives explained the maps incorrectly labeled "the Taiwan region", without clarifying what exactly the improper identification was.

The Chinese government considers self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has kept open the possibility of the use of military action to unify with 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 ships from Chinese authorities and the Philippines participated in another incident.

Philippine authorities alleged a Chinese vessel of intentionally colliding with and using water cannons at a official Philippine ship.

But Beijing said the confrontation happened after the Philippine vessel failed to heed continual notices and "came too close to" the Chinese vessel.

Historical Similar Cases

The Philippine government and Vietnam are also highly vigilant to portrayals of the disputed maritime region in maps.

The Barbie movie from 2023 was banned in the Vietnamese market and edited in the Philippines for showing a maritime chart with the controversial demarcation.

The statement from China Customs did not say where the confiscated materials were planned for distribution. China provides much of the world's goods, from Christmas lights to stationery.

The interception of "non-compliant cartographic materials" by customs officials is relatively common - though the amount of the maps confiscated in Shandong significantly exceeds earlier interceptions. Merchandise that fail inspection at the customs are disposed of.

In spring, customs officers at an air transportation hub in the coastal city seized a batch of 143 marine maps that featured "obvious errors" in the national borders.

In late summer, customs officers in the northern province confiscated a pair of "violating cartographic materials" that, in addition to other issues, contained a "incorrect depiction" of the Tibet's boundaries.