US Edition
China Seizes 60K Maps for Alleged Territorial Mislabeling
- Recently, Chinese customs officers in eastern Shandong seized 60,000 export-bound maps during an inspection that mislabelled the self-governed island of Taiwan and omitted important islands and the nine-dash line.
- Under Chinese regulations, maps for export must be vetted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and carry review numbers, while 'problematic maps' are prohibited for risking national unity and sovereignty.
- Past enforcement in 2019 and 2022 saw large-scale seizures and destructions of export maps, including about 29,000 in the 2019 Qingdao map destruction and 23,500 in the 2022 Zhejiang/Ningbo seizures; the ministry called the Shandong cache the largest in recent years.
- Amid renewed maritime clashes, the seizure coincided with a weekend encounter where the Philippines accused a Chinese ship of ramming its vessel, the United States State Department condemned China, while Beijing blamed Manila.
- Beyond the seizure, map disputes reflect Beijing's broader territorial claims and regional tensions as the seized maps omitted the Diaoyu Islands and the maritime boundary with Japan, challenging China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and its view of self-ruled Taiwan.
24 Articles
24 Articles
China seizes 60,000 ‘problematic’ maps over Taiwan, South China Sea omissions
BEIJING, Oct 16 — Chinese customs seized 60,000 maps it deemed “problematic” over their labelling of Taiwan and omission of territory Beijing claims in the South China Sea, authorities said.China claims the self-ruled island of Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will not renounce using force to bring it under its control.Beijing also claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no …
Chinese customs seize 60,000 ‘problematic’ maps for ‘mislabelling’ Taiwan, omitting South China Sea claims
Chinese customs seized 60,000 maps it deemed “problematic” over their labelling of Taiwan and omission of territory Beijing claims in the South China Sea, authorities said. A screenshot of a video showing Chinese customs officers inspecting seized maps. Photo: China Customs, via WeChat. China claims the self-ruled island of Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will not renounce using force to bring it under its control. Beijing also c…
China seizes 60,000 maps over Taiwan, South China Sea ‘errors’
Chinese customs in Qingdao, Shandong, seized 60,000 export-bound maps for what officials called “errors,” including mislabeling Taiwan and leaving out disputed features in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims as its own territory. The agency reportedly said the “problematic” maps could not be sold because they “endanger national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Maps in China Maps are politically sensitive in China, where depic…
China seizes 60,000 ‘problematic’ maps for mislabeling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands
Chinese authorities confiscated 60,000 export-bound maps in Shandong, accusing them of “endangering national unity” by mislabeling Taiwan and excluding key South China Sea territories.
China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands
China’s confiscation of 60,000 maps misrepresenting Taiwan and omitting key South China Sea islands underscores Beijing’s assertive approach to sovereignty. Experts warn the move reflects rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the symbolic power of cartography in regional disputes.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
