If a China map appears on a website page, whether it is used to mark service areas, show outlet distribution, or serve as an illustration, it is necessary to first confirm whether the material itself is accurate and compliant.
A certain proportion of map materials circulating on the internet contain errors, and using them directly can easily lead to problems. The use of maps involves national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is a matter that requires extra attention.
What is a “problem map”
A “problem map” refers to a map that has problems such as harming national sovereignty and unity, territorial integrity, security, and interests. Common errors include:
- Omission of important islands such as Diaoyu Island, Chiwei Islet, and the South China Sea Islands.
- Incorrect representation of Taiwan Province.
- Incorrect drawing of national boundaries in the Zangnan region and the Aksai Chin region.
- Omission or incorrect delineation of certain provincial-level administrative regions, for example, using an old edition of a map that does not include Chongqing as a municipality directly under the Central Government.
- Administrative region names not updated in a timely manner, such as still using old names that have already been adjusted.
Among these errors, some come from the material itself being older, and some come from negligence during mapmaking. Regardless of the cause, after public use, corresponding administrative liability may be faced.
How to obtain correct map materials
- Use standard maps officially released. The standard map service provides downloads of China maps, world maps, and thematic maps, with standardized formats that can meet most display needs. If self-processing and customization are required, the materials should be submitted for review as required before public use.
- Use map products that have been reviewed and are marked with a map approval number. Publicly published maps usually indicate the map approval number in an appropriate position, which can be used to judge whether the material is compliant.
- Obtain regional maps from authoritative official map public service platforms and their provincial and municipal nodes; such channels are relatively timely in updating.
A few practical suggestions
- If not necessary, minimize the use of map elements on websites. Describing service areas in text is often equally clear and does not involve material risks.
- When maps are needed, prioritize downloading from official channels, and do not casually take them from image-sharing websites or stock material sites.
- After adding annotations or adjusting ranges on a map yourself, reconfirm whether the whole is still complete and correct.
- Record the source and acquisition time of map materials for subsequent verification.
The core of standardized map use is completeness and accuracy. Confirming one more step before using maps on a website is much less troublesome than dealing with issues afterward.