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Chinese customs officers in eastern Shandong province have intercepted 60,000 maps that "improperly identified" the self-governed island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

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

The "non-compliant" maps, destined for overseas markets, cannot be sold because they "endanger national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of China, officials confirmed.

Cartographic materials are a delicate subject for China and its regional competitors for reefs, islands and outcrops in the disputed maritime region.

Specific Compliance Issues

China Customs explained that the maps also did not contain the nine-dash line, which demarcates Beijing's claim over the vast majority of the South China Sea.

The boundary consists of nine dashes which extends numerous nautical miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan.

The seized maps also failed to indicate the oceanic demarcation between mainland China and Japan, customs representatives stated.

Taiwan Situation

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

The Chinese government considers self-governed Taiwan as its territory and has kept open the possibility of the use of force to take the island. But Taiwan views itself as separate from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and elected leadership.

Geopolitical Tensions

Tensions in the South China Sea flare up occasionally - in recent days over the weekend, when vessels from Chinese authorities and the Philippine government participated in another encounter.

Manila alleged a China's maritime craft of deliberately ramming and firing its water cannon at a Philippine government vessel.

But Chinese officials stated the confrontation happened after the Philippine vessel ignored repeated warnings and "moved perilously near" the Chinese ship.

Historical Precedents

The Philippine government and Vietnam are also particularly sensitive to depictions of the disputed maritime region in maps.

The 2023 Barbie film from last year was banned in the Vietnamese market and modified in the Philippine release for displaying a maritime chart with the controversial demarcation.

The declaration from China Customs did not say where the seized maps were planned for distribution. China supplies much of the international products, from holiday decorations to stationery.

The interception of "violating charts" by customs officials is not uncommon - though the number of the maps seized in the Shandong region substantially surpasses previous confiscations. Goods that fail inspection at the border control are eliminated.

In March, border authorities at an air transportation hub in the coastal city intercepted a batch of one hundred forty-three navigation charts that contained "clear mistakes" in the sovereign limits.

In late summer, customs officers in the northern province intercepted two "non-compliant charts" that, besides other problems, included a "improper representation" of the Tibetan border.