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Customs authorities in China in the coastal province of Shandong have seized 60,000 maps that "incorrectly labeled" the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its sovereign land.

The maps, customs representatives explained, also "omitted important islands" in the disputed South China Sea waters, 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 China, customs representatives stated.

Cartographic materials are a delicate subject for China and its regional competitors for coral formations, islands and outcrops in the South China Sea.

Detailed Violations

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

The line comprises nine segments which runs hundreds of miles southeastern direction from its southern province of Hainan.

The intercepted cartographic items also did not mark the sea border between China and the Japanese archipelago, customs representatives stated.

Cross-Strait Status

Authorities said the maps improperly identified "the Taiwan region", without specifying what exactly the improper identification was.

The Chinese government sees self-governed Taiwan as its sovereign land and has maintained the option of the use of force to unify with the island. But Taiwan sees itself as different from the mainland China, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders.

Regional Disputes

Disputes in the disputed maritime region flare up occasionally - in recent days over the weekend, when maritime craft from China and the Philippine government participated in another confrontation.

Philippine authorities claimed a Chinese vessel of intentionally colliding with and deploying water jets at a official Philippine ship.

But Chinese officials said the confrontation happened after the vessel from the Philippines failed to heed continual notices and "dangerously approached" the Chinese ship.

Historical Similar Cases

The Philippines and Vietnamese authorities are also highly vigilant to portrayals of the disputed maritime region in cartographic materials.

The popular motion picture from 2023 was prohibited in the Vietnamese market and censored in the Philippine release for displaying a maritime chart with the nine dash line.

The announcement from China Customs did not indicate where the intercepted items were destined for sale. China supplies much of the world's goods, from Christmas lights to stationery.

The confiscation of "violating charts" by Chinese customs officers is frequently occurring - though the number of the maps intercepted in the Shandong region significantly exceeds past seizures. Products that are non-compliant at the customs are disposed of.

In spring, customs officers at an air transportation hub in the coastal city intercepted a shipment of 143 navigation charts that contained "obvious errors" in the sovereign limits.

In August, customs officers in Hebei province intercepted two "problematic maps" that, in addition to other issues, featured a "improper representation" of the Tibet's boundaries.