Chinese authorities intercepts sixty thousand cartographic materials for 'incorrectly labeling' Taiwan

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

The maps, customs representatives explained, also "omitted important islands" in the South China Sea, where Beijing's claims clash with those of its regional neighbors, including the Philippine government and Vietnamese authorities.

The "non-compliant" 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 sensitive topic for China and its rivals for coral formations, maritime features and rock formations in the disputed maritime region.

Specific Violations

Customs authorities said that the maps also failed to include the nine-dash boundary, which outlines China's territorial assertion over nearly the entire South China Sea.

The line comprises nine segments which stretches hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan.

The confiscated materials also omitted the sea border between China and the Japanese archipelago, authorities said.

Cross-Strait Status

Officials stated the maps improperly identified "Taiwan province", without detailing what exactly the incorrect labeling was.

The Chinese government sees self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has kept open the possibility of the use of force to unify with the island. But Taiwanese authorities considers itself different from the mainland China, with its own governing document and democratically-elected leaders.

Regional Disputes

Conflicts in the disputed maritime region periodically escalate - most recently over the weekend, when ships from China and the Philippines participated in another encounter.

Manila alleged a Chinese ship of intentionally colliding with and deploying water jets at a government-owned Philippine craft.

But Beijing said the encounter happened after the Philippine vessel failed to heed continual notices and "dangerously approached" the China's maritime craft.

Previous Similar Cases

The Philippines and Vietnam are also highly vigilant to depictions of the disputed maritime region in cartographic materials.

The Barbie movie from last year was prohibited in the Vietnamese market and edited in the Philippine release for depicting a maritime chart with the controversial demarcation.

The announcement from China Customs did not say where the confiscated materials were planned for distribution. The country produces much of the global merchandise, from holiday decorations to office supplies.

The seizure of "non-compliant cartographic materials" by Chinese customs officers is frequently occurring - though the amount of the maps intercepted in Shandong substantially surpasses earlier interceptions. Merchandise that are non-compliant at the customs are disposed of.

In March, border authorities at an airport in the coastal city intercepted a shipment of one hundred forty-three nautical charts that contained "apparent inaccuracies" in the national borders.

In August, customs officers in the northern province seized two "violating cartographic materials" that, among other things, contained a "improper representation" of the the Tibet region's limits.