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Customs authorities in China in eastern Shandong province have intercepted 60,000 maps that "mislabelled" the self-governed island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

The maps, authorities said, also "failed to include important islands" in the disputed South China Sea waters, where Beijing's claims conflict with those of its regional neighbors, including the Philippines and Vietnam.

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

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

Detailed Violations

Customs authorities stated that the maps also did not contain the nine-dash line, which outlines China's territorial assertion over almost the whole South China Sea.

The line comprises nine lines which runs a significant distance southeastward from its southernmost province of Hainan Island.

The seized maps also did not mark the sea border between China and Japan, authorities said.

Cross-Strait Situation

Officials stated the maps improperly identified "the Taiwan region", without clarifying what exactly the mislabelling was.

The Chinese government sees self-governed Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of military action to unify with the island. But Taiwanese authorities considers itself separate from the mainland China, with its own governing document and elected leadership.

Regional Disputes

Tensions in the South China Sea sometimes intensify - in recent days over the weekend, when vessels from Chinese authorities and the Philippine government figured in another confrontation.

Philippine authorities alleged a Chinese ship of deliberately ramming and using water cannons at a official Philippine ship.

But Chinese officials claimed the confrontation happened after the vessel from the Philippines disregarded multiple alerts and "moved perilously near" the Chinese ship.

Historical Similar Cases

The Philippine government and Vietnam are also particularly sensitive to depictions of the South China Sea in maps.

The 2023 Barbie film from last year was banned in Vietnam and edited in the Philippine release for showing a maritime chart with the nine dash line.

The announcement from customs authorities did not indicate where the confiscated materials 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 quantity of the maps intercepted in the Shandong region easily eclipses previous confiscations. Products that fail inspection at the customs are destroyed.

In March, customs officers at an airport in Qingdao seized a shipment of one hundred forty-three marine maps that included "clear mistakes" in the territorial boundaries.

In late summer, customs officers in the northern province intercepted a pair of "problematic maps" that, besides other problems, included a "incorrect depiction" of the the Tibet region's limits.