China’s customs seize 60,000 ‘problematic’ maps for mislabelling Taiwan, omitting disputed islands

Furthermore, the maps lacked the review numbers issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources, authorities said.

Chinese law states that maps and products showing a map must be vetted by the Ministry of Natural Resources during export, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Maps meant to be published or shown outside mainland China also require vetting.

Under Chinese regulations, such “problematic maps” are classified as items that “endanger national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity”, and are prohibited from being imported or exported, the customs statement wrote.

This is not the first time Chinese authorities have moved against maps that diverge from Beijing’s positions. In 2022, customs officials in Zhejiang province seized 23,500 maps that had similar issues, SCMP reported.

In 2019, authorities in Qingdao shredded about 29,000 export-bound maps that depicted Taiwan as a country.

News of the latest enforcement comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, following a fresh maritime clash between Chinese and Philippine vessels.

The Philippines said a Chinese ship deliberately rammed one of its government vessels on Sunday near Thitu Island, part of the disputed Spratly Islands.

Beijing has blamed Manila for the incident. Its coast guard said the incident occurred after a Philippine vessel entered nearby waters, “ignored repeated stern warnings from the Chinese side, and dangerously approached” the Chinese ship.

The United States, an ally of the Philippines, on Monday condemned China’s “ramming and water cannoning” of the Philippine vessel and said Washington stood with its ally “as they confront China’s dangerous actions which undermine regional stability”.