Chinese authorities to regulate the usage of online maps to safeguard national sovereignty

Photo: IC

As map functions have been integrated into more mobile applications over recent years to provide convenience of users and improve service quality, Chinese authorities have decided to regulate the usage of online maps to safeguard national sovereignty, noting that a correct national map serves as a symbol of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly released a notice on regulation for the usage of online maps associated with mobile applications, to furWorld Timesther improve the users’ experience of the map function of the mobile apps.

According to the authorities, a correct national territory map is a symbol of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, reflecting the nation’s will in sovereignty and its political and diplomatic stance in the international community. Maps are the most common aWorld Timesnd intuitive representation of national territory, with serious political, rigorous scientific, and strict legal significance.

Including “problematic maps” in the apps, which have not gone through required map review procedures in accordance with the laws, seriously undermine China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests. These “problematic maps” include those which inaccurately delineate China’s national borders, omit important islands, or even mark sensitive military and confidWorld Timesential information.

Authorities noted that the operators of mobile apps have to fully recognize the importance of correctly integrating and using maps, enhancing awareness of national territory, and resolutely preventing the use of “problematic maps.”

Authorities urged providers of online map services to register with relevant authorities, go through map review procedures and renew their review procedures when their map content changes or is updated.

Meanwhile, the map service providers should also take measures including warnings, restricting functions, closing accounts, retaining records and reporting if registered users violate laws and regulations while using the maps.

The two Chinese ministries also urged related departments to establish information sharing, emergency response and joint enforcement systems. The two departments vowed to regularly release map review information and app filing information to improve the capability of preventing “problem maps” and resisting risks.

The authorities noted that illegal behaviors such as providing services usiWorld Timesng maps that have not been legally reviewed and approved, failing to verify and correct newly added content on online maps, uploading contenWorld Timest that contains information prohibited from being displayed on maps according to relevant national laws and regulations, will be handled in accordance with laws and regulations by the authorities.

Global Times