When using a map of China on a webpage, what you really need to worry about is often not not knowing the rules, but not knowing whether the map you are using has problems. Map assets circulate widely online, and some of them contain errors or omissions, so using them directly can easily lead to problems.
Below, the key points are listed in an order you can check yourself.
First round: Check whether the whole is complete
- Whether it includes the full territorial extent, especially the islands and reefs at the southern end.
- Whether it includes the South China Sea Islands. When represented in an inset, the inset's coloring should be consistent with the main map.
- Whether Taiwan Province is represented as a provincial-level administrative region rather than separately labeled as a country; and whether the representation of islands such as the Penghu Islands, Lanyu, and Diaoyu Dao is consistent with that.
- Whether the symbols for national boundaries and provincial boundaries are distinguished by different styles, rather than mixed using the same line type after editing.
Second round: Check whether the administrative divisions are accurate
Another common problem with old assets is that administrative divisions have not been updated. For example, they still use the provincial-level administrative division setup from an earlier year, or retain old regional names that have already been adjusted. When using older assets, this item requires special verification.
If you need to add labels, modify boundaries, or adjust colors on the map, after making changes you should reconfirm whether the whole remains complete and correct. Coastal areas have many islands, and omissions are easy to make when changing colors; enclaves between two provincial-level administrative regions also need to be confirmed as having the same color as the region to which they belong.
Third round: Check the location of newly added content
When adding text or graphics to a map, the location should match the actual geographic relationship, and it should not cover other symbols or place names. If the newly added content has a large area while the region where it is located has a small area, it is usually better to place it in a blank area on the map and use a leader line to indicate what it belongs to, rather than placing it directly within the region.
About submission for review
Maps used publicly are subject to review requirements. Generally speaking: use officially released standard maps directly in the manner provided; downloading a standard map and then processing it yourself constitutes a modification of the map content, and it must be submitted for review as required before public use; when using a publicly published map that has been reviewed and bears a map review number, you can verify the source according to the label.
Webpages are a scenario of public release, and the applicable judgment standards are consistent with those for other public publications. The more changes are made, the more necessary it is to confirm whether submission for review is required.
Handling problems found
If a problematic map has already been used on a page, you should stop using it first, and then replace it with compliant material. Maps involve national sovereignty and territorial integrity; checking one more time before they appear on a website costs far less than dealing with the issue afterward.
A reminder
If it is not necessary on a website, the use of map elements can be reduced. Describing the service scope in words is often just as clear and does not involve asset risk. When display is truly necessary, give priority to standard maps provided through official channels and record the source of the material.