[Beijing Diary] The Globe Mystery

There are items that foreigners cannot bring into China even though they are not weapons, chemicals, or drugs. One such item is a globe. Regardless of its markings or size, it is listed under the 'prohibited items' category. The reporter first learned this fact while packing for an international move to Beijing in 2022. A large globe cherished by his elementary school son could not cross the sea for this reason.

Why does China refuse to allow globes (maps), which are generally regarded as learning tools or interior decorations, to be brought in from outside? This is rooted in long-standing disputes with neighboring countries over territory and territorial waters, as well as the cross-strait issue of 'One China.' The sensitive attitude toward the influx of 'uncomfortable or different' ideologies can also be seen as an extension of the Great Wall narrative, which fiercely blocked external invasions.

Globes observed while living in China. I looked at various globes distributed locally, but none of them label the East Sea. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

At the end of last month, a Korean businessman named Jeong was detained for about an hour at Taoxian Airport in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, and this incident was also related to the same background. Customs officers at the security checkpoint found a diary in his trunk, to which a world map was attached.

The customs officers took issue with the bold lettering of 'Taiwan' on the map and the red marking of its largest city. They claimed that Taiwan was depicted as a separate country, which violates the 'One China' principle, and detained him for investigation. Jeong was released after about an hour, but for him, who was unaware that the map was even attached to the diary, it was a violent treatment. One can imagine the fear caused by the rigid attitude and coercive tone typical of Chinese security and inspection officers.

China continues to have frequent conflicts with neighboring countries over the South China Sea, and the Diaoyu Islands (Japanese name: Senkaku Islands) dispute is ongoing. The Taiwan independence issue, which goes against the 'One China' principle, is a sensitive trigger that causes tension in US-China relations. Judging from this sensitive reaction, it can be interpreted that China believes globes or maps intentionally contain judgments and nuances regarding a country's territory and territorial waters.

Then, here is a question: Why does China not label the 'East Sea' on globes sold domestically? Is this China's stance on the East Sea labeling and its attitude toward Korean territorial waters? China typically labels the East China Sea as 'EAST CHINA SEA' and our East Sea as 'SEA OF JAPAN' on maps.

This cannot be sufficiently explained by overlapping place names. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in its 1974 resolution recommended that when two or more countries share a geographic feature but fail to reach an agreement on a single name, each name should be used (dual naming). The 1977 United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names also recommended dual naming for geographic features where consensus could not be reached.

Since starting work in China, I have consistently visited bookstores in various localities and throughout Beijing whenever possible. While I appreciate their uniquely calm atmosphere, I also read the latest local sentiments from bestseller lists. Along with this, I examine the globes sold in bookstores, especially tracing the territory of the Republic of Korea and the area around the East Sea with my hand.

Over about 17 months, I have checked more than 30 globes but have never seen the East Sea labeled even once. The East Sea labeling, along with the Dokdo and Goguryeo history issues, is one of the major territorial and maritime issues highlighted by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in China also protest where necessary regarding this issue and engage in discussions when new talks are needed.