(MENAFN) Chinese customs officials in Shandong province have seized 60,000 maps that they said “mislabelled” Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as part of its territory, according to reports. Authorities also noted that the maps “omitted important islands” in the South China Sea, a region where China’s territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, and other neighbors.

The seized maps, intended for export, were deemed unsellable because they “endanger national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Chinese authorities said. The maps also failed to include the nine-dash line, which represents China’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea, and did not mark the maritime boundary between China and Japan.

While the exact details of how Taiwan was mislabelled were not disclosed, officials emphasized that the maps inaccurately referred to “Taiwan province.” China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to assert control. Taiwan, however, maintains its independence, with its own constitution and democratically elected government.

South China Sea tensions remain high, with occasional confrontations between Chinese and regional vessels. Over the past weekend, a Philippine government ship reportedly clashed with a Chinese vessel, with Manila alleging deliberate ramming and the use of a water cannon. Beijing, in turn, claimed the incident occurred after the Philippine ship “dangerously approached” despite repeated warnings.

MENAFN15102025000045017640ID1110199557