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Chinese customs officers in eastern Shandong province have confiscated sixty thousand maps that "incorrectly labeled" the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

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

The "non-compliant" maps, c intended for foreign distribution, cannot be sold because they "compromise national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of China, customs representatives stated.

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

Specific Violations

China Customs stated that the maps also omitted the nine-dash line, which demarcates China's territorial assertion over the vast majority of the South China Sea.

The line comprises nine dashes which extends a significant distance south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan.

The seized maps also did not mark the sea border between mainland China and Japan, customs representatives stated.

Taiwan Situation

Customs representatives explained the maps mislabelled "Taiwan province", without specifying what exactly the improper identification was.

China sees self-ruled Taiwan as its sovereign land and has maintained the option of the use of military action to take the island. But Taiwan sees itself as different from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and elected leadership.

Regional Tensions

Tensions in the disputed maritime region sometimes intensify - in recent days over the weekend, when ships from China and the Philippines were involved in another incident.

Manila alleged a China's maritime craft of intentionally colliding with and using water cannons at a government-owned Philippine craft.

But Beijing stated the encounter happened after the vessel from the Philippines failed to heed continual notices and "moved perilously near" the China's maritime craft.

Previous Similar Cases

The Philippines and Vietnamese authorities are also highly vigilant to depictions of the South China Sea in maps.

The popular motion picture from 2023 was prohibited in the Vietnamese market and edited in the Philippine release for depicting a South China Sea map with the nine dash line.

The statement from customs authorities did not specify where the seized maps were planned for distribution. China provides much of the international products, from holiday decorations to office supplies.

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

In March, border authorities at an airport in the coastal city seized a shipment of one hundred forty-three nautical charts that featured "apparent inaccuracies" in the sovereign limits.

In August, customs officers in Hebei province intercepted two "non-compliant charts" that, in addition to other issues, included a "improper representation" of the Tibetan border.