[File photo]

Chinese authorities on Monday issued a “shame list” of eight companies that have misused China’s national map, noting that such mistakes should not be tolerated.

According to the announcement released by China’s State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping on Monday, the list of companies, which include famous Japanese brand Muji and Chinese news portal ifeng.com, have reportedly omitted several Chinese islands on the Chinese national maps used on their pamphlets or websites, as well as wrongly tagging China’s Hainan and Taiwan.

This is the first punishment announcement released by the bureau after it conducted a joint campaign, along with other governmental sectors, to tackle the misuse of Chinese national maps. According to China’s revised surveying and mapping law which took effect on July 1, 2017, regulations should be followed in formulating, publishing, or exhibiting maps, while raising awareness of national territory should be included in the curricula for primary and middle schools as it is an important part of patriotic education.

The law also stipulated that violators could face fines up to 1 million RMB (over $145,000) or have their business licenses revoked, and could face criminal charges. Foreign offenders may even be deported.

Chinese authorities have been cracking down on companies that misuse the country’s national maps or encourage any separatist activities. In January, the Marriott International hotel chain was criticized by Chinese authorities and the public for its online questionnaire that suggested some Chinese regions were separate countries, a move that led to the shutdown of the hotel’s website.