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Chinese customs officers in eastern Shandong province have seized 60,000 maps that "incorrectly labeled" the self-governed island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

The maps, customs representatives explained, also "failed to include important islands" in the South China Sea, where Beijing's claims conflict with those of its neighbors, including the Philippine government and Vietnamese authorities.

The "problematic" maps, meant for export, cannot be sold because they "compromise national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of the People's Republic of China, authorities said.

Cartographic materials are a contentious issue for Chinese authorities and its regional competitors for reefs, maritime features and rock formations in the South China Sea.

Specific Violations

China Customs said that the maps also did not contain the nine-dash line, which outlines Beijing's claim over nearly the entire South China Sea.

The line comprises nine lines which stretches a significant distance southeastern direction from its southernmost province of Hainan Island.

The confiscated materials also omitted the oceanic demarcation between China and Japan, officials confirmed.

Cross-Strait Status

Officials stated the maps improperly identified "Taiwan province", without clarifying what exactly the incorrect labeling was.

China sees self-ruled Taiwan as its sovereign land and has maintained the option of the use of force to unify with the island. But Taiwanese authorities sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders.

Regional Tensions

Disputes in the South China Sea sometimes intensify - just recently over the weekend, when ships from Chinese authorities and the Philippines participated in another encounter.

Manila claimed a Chinese ship of intentionally colliding with and firing its water cannon at a government-owned Philippine craft.

But Chinese officials stated the confrontation happened after the Philippine vessel disregarded multiple alerts and "came too close to" the Chinese ship.

Previous Precedents

The Philippines and Vietnam are also highly vigilant to portrayals of the South China Sea in cartographic materials.

The Barbie movie from last year was prohibited in Vietnam and censored in the Philippine release for showing a South China Sea map with the nine dash line.

The announcement from customs authorities did not indicate where the seized maps were intended to be sold. China provides much of the global merchandise, from Christmas lights to stationery.

The interception of "violating charts" by Chinese customs officers is relatively common - though the amount of the maps seized in the Shandong region significantly exceeds earlier interceptions. Products that fail inspection at the border control are eliminated.

In spring, customs officers at an air transportation hub in Qingdao intercepted a batch of one hundred forty-three navigation charts that included "apparent inaccuracies" in the national borders.

In August, customs officers in Hebei province intercepted two "non-compliant charts" that, in addition to other issues, featured a "misdrawing" of the the Tibet region's limits.