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

The maps, authorities said, also "failed to include important islands" in the South China Sea, where China's territorial assertions conflict with those of its regional neighbors, including the Philippines and Vietnamese authorities.

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

Maps are a delicate subject for Chinese authorities and its regional competitors for reefs, islands and outcrops in the disputed maritime region.

Detailed Violations

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

The boundary consists of nine lines which extends a significant distance southeastern direction from its most southerly province of Hainan.

The confiscated materials also did not mark the maritime boundary between mainland China and the Japanese archipelago, authorities said.

Taiwan Status

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

The Chinese government views self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has maintained the option 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 flare up occasionally - just recently over the weekend, when ships from Chinese authorities and the Philippines figured in another incident.

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

But Chinese officials claimed the confrontation happened after the vessel from the Philippines disregarded multiple alerts and "dangerously approached" the China's maritime craft.

Previous Precedents

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

The 2023 Barbie film from 2023 was prohibited in Vietnam and edited in the Philippine release for displaying a South China Sea map with the controversial demarcation.

The declaration from customs authorities did not specify where the intercepted items were destined for sale. The country provides much of the international products, from Christmas lights to office supplies.

The interception of "problematic maps" by China's border authorities is relatively common - though the amount of the maps seized in Shandong easily eclipses earlier interceptions. Goods that fail inspection at the border control are eliminated.

In spring, customs officers at an airport in the coastal city intercepted a shipment of 143 nautical charts that featured "obvious errors" in the national borders.

In August, customs officers in the northern province confiscated two "non-compliant charts" that, among other things, included a "misdrawing" of the Tibet's boundaries.