China's Customs Confiscate 60,000 'Mislabelled' Maps of Taiwan

Wed Oct 15 2025 15:16:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant move, Chinese customs officials in Shandong seized 60,000 maps that inaccurately depicted Taiwan and omitted key islands in the South China Sea. Authorities stated that these maps endangered China's national unity and integrity.

Authorities in China have recently confiscated a large shipment of maps deemed 'problematic' for mislabeling Taiwan and missing important territories in the South China Sea. This action underscores the sensitivity of territorial representations in the region, particularly regarding Taiwan, which China claims as its own. Additionally, the maps omitted the contentious nine-dash line, further escalating the issue surrounding territorial integrity.

Chinese customs officers in eastern Shandong province have seized 60,000 maps that 'mislabelled' the self-governed island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

The maps, authorities said, also 'omitted important islands' in the South China Sea, where Beijing's claims overlap with those of its neighbours, including the Philippines and Vietnam.

The 'problematic' maps, meant for export, cannot be sold because they 'endanger national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity' of China, authorities stated.

Maps are a sensitive topic for China and its rivals for reefs, islands and outcrops in the South China Sea.

China Customs also reported that the maps did not include the nine-dash line, which demarcates Beijing's claim over nearly the entire South China Sea. The line extends hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan.

The confiscation of 'problematic maps' by Chinese customs is not uncommon, though the scale of this seizure surpasses previous ones. In March, customs officers in Qingdao seized 143 nautical charts containing 'obvious errors' in national borders.

This incident adds to the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, particularly illustrated by recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels.

The Philippines and Vietnam also show strong sensitivities about South China Sea depictions on maps; for instance, the Barbie movie was recently banned in Vietnam and censored in the Philippines over related content.