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Chinese customs officers in the coastal province of Shandong have confiscated 60,000 maps that "incorrectly labeled" the self-governed island of Taiwan, which Chinese authorities claims as part of its territory.

The maps, authorities said, also "failed to include important islands" in the South China Sea, where Beijing's claims overlap 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 "compromise national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of the People's Republic of China, officials confirmed.

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

Detailed Violations

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

The line comprises nine lines which stretches numerous nautical miles southeastern direction from its southernmost province of Hainan.

The confiscated materials also omitted the sea border between mainland China and the Japanese archipelago, customs representatives stated.

Taiwan Situation

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

China sees self-governed Taiwan as its territory and has kept open the possibility of the use of force to unify with the island. But Taiwanese authorities views itself as different from the mainland China, with its own governing document and popularly chosen officials.

Geopolitical Tensions

Tensions in the South China Sea sometimes intensify - in recent days over the weekend, when ships from Chinese authorities and the Philippines figured in another encounter.

Manila alleged a Chinese vessel of purposefully hitting and using water cannons at a government-owned Philippine craft.

But Chinese officials said the confrontation happened after the Philippine vessel ignored repeated warnings and "dangerously approached" the China's maritime craft.

Historical Precedents

The Philippine government and Vietnam are also highly vigilant to portrayals of the South China Sea in maps.

The Barbie movie from 2023 was banned in Vietnam and censored in the Philippine release for displaying a maritime chart with the controversial demarcation.

The declaration from customs authorities did not specify where the seized maps were planned for distribution. The country supplies much of the world's goods, from holiday decorations to office supplies.

The interception of "violating charts" by customs officials is frequently occurring - though the amount of the maps confiscated in the Shandong region easily eclipses past seizures. Goods that fail inspection at the border control are destroyed.

In spring, border authorities at an air transportation hub in the coastal city intercepted a batch of 143 marine maps that included "clear mistakes" in the territorial boundaries.

In August, border authorities in Hebei province intercepted two "non-compliant charts" that, in addition to other issues, contained a "misdrawing" of the Tibet's boundaries.