Newspaper calls for citizens' better knowledge of Chinese territory

Knowledge and awareness of China's national territory should be better taught in China's education system, a newspaper article has said.

An article by Wang Zhongdi in China Youth Daily on Thursday said all citizens should have knowledge of the map of China but that it was absent for many Chinese.

The comments came after an incorrect map that left out parts of China's territory appeared as background in a TV show on China's provincial Hunan TV.

The TV station later posted an apology on Weibo, a Twitter-like service, saying it "deeply realizes the mistake of its dereliction of duty and is saddened by the mistake."

The newspaper ascribed the mistake to "the lack of knowledge about the national map," saying that although such knowledge has been taught since primary school, many were still not clear on details of China's territory and boundaries.

Accordingly, it is necessary to popularize knowledge of China's map and boundaries in society to make them well-recognized, said the article.

Chinese authorities also have ordered stricter regulation on the use of maps by websites.

An official circular in September criticized a large number of unapproved online map providers for problems such as incorrect national boundary lines, the absence of important territorial islands and suspicion of leaking state secrets, which harm China's territorial sovereignty and national security.

The document ordered websites and online service operators to reinforce their self-discipline, comply with legal procedures before publishing maps, and make sure maps are legal and correct. Endi