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

The maps, authorities said, also "failed to include important islands" in the South China Sea, where China's territorial assertions clash with those of its neighbors, including the Philippine government and Vietnamese authorities.

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

Cartographic materials are a sensitive topic for China and its regional competitors for reefs, maritime features and rock formations in the disputed maritime region.

Specific Violations

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

The line comprises nine segments which extends a significant distance southeastward from its most southerly province of Hainan Island.

The intercepted cartographic items also omitted the maritime boundary between mainland China and the Japanese archipelago, authorities said.

Taiwan Situation

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

The Chinese government sees self-ruled Taiwan as its sovereign land and has maintained the option of the use of military action to unify with the island. But Taiwanese authorities considers itself distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own governing document and popularly chosen officials.

Regional Tensions

Conflicts in the South China Sea periodically escalate - in recent days over the weekend, when ships from Chinese authorities and the Philippine government were involved in another incident.

Philippine authorities claimed a China's maritime craft of intentionally colliding with and deploying water jets at a government-owned Philippine craft.

But Chinese officials stated the encounter happened after the Philippine ship ignored repeated warnings and "dangerously approached" the Chinese vessel.

Historical Precedents

The Philippine government and Vietnam are also highly vigilant to portrayals of the disputed maritime region in maps.

The popular motion picture from last year was prohibited in Vietnam and modified in the Philippines for showing a maritime chart with the nine-segment boundary.

The statement from customs authorities did not say where the intercepted items were destined for sale. China produces much of the international products, from Christmas lights to office supplies.

The confiscation of "problematic maps" by customs officials is frequently occurring - though the amount of the maps confiscated in Shandong easily eclipses past seizures. Goods that fail inspection at the border control are disposed of.

In March, customs officers at an air transportation hub in Qingdao intercepted a batch of one hundred forty-three marine maps that included "clear mistakes" in the territorial boundaries.

In August, customs officers in the northern province intercepted two "non-compliant charts" that, in addition to other issues, contained a "improper representation" of the Tibetan border.