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

The maps, customs representatives explained, also "left out important islands" in the disputed South China Sea waters, where China's territorial assertions overlap with those of its neighbors, including the Philippine government and Vietnam.

The "problematic" maps, destined for overseas markets, 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 Chinese authorities and its regional competitors for coral formations, islands and rock formations in the South China Sea.

Specific Violations

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

The demarcation includes nine segments which extends a significant distance southeastward from its most southerly province of Hainan Island.

The seized maps also failed to indicate the oceanic demarcation between China and Japan, authorities said.

Cross-Strait Status

Officials stated the maps incorrectly labeled "the Taiwan region", without detailing what exactly the improper identification was.

The Chinese government views self-governed Taiwan as its territory and has kept open the possibility of the use of military action to take the island. But Taiwanese authorities views itself as different from the mainland China, with its own constitution and popularly chosen officials.

Regional Disputes

Tensions in the disputed maritime region sometimes intensify - in recent days over the weekend, when vessels from China and the Philippine government participated in another encounter.

Philippine authorities alleged a Chinese vessel of intentionally colliding with and firing its water cannon at a official Philippine ship.

But Beijing said the confrontation happened after the vessel from the Philippines ignored repeated warnings and "dangerously approached" the Chinese ship.

Historical Precedents

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

The 2023 Barbie film from last year was banned in Vietnam and censored in the Philippine release for showing a South China Sea map with the nine-segment boundary.

The statement from China Customs did not indicate where the seized maps were planned for distribution. The country provides much of the world's goods, from holiday decorations to stationery.

The seizure of "non-compliant cartographic materials" by Chinese customs officers is not uncommon - though the amount of the maps confiscated in the Shandong region easily eclipses past seizures. Goods that are non-compliant at the border control are destroyed.

In March, customs officers at an airport in Qingdao confiscated a batch of 143 marine maps that contained "clear mistakes" in the sovereign limits.

In late summer, border authorities in Hebei province seized a pair of "problematic maps" that, in addition to other issues, contained a "misdrawing" of the Tibetan border.