China’s Xinjiang Bans Classified Topography Map Trading

As reported by China’s Xinhua, there is now a ban on topographic map trading, both online and offline, of classified topographic maps in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This is according to said northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region authorities in a joint notice according to local officials.

” topography map entitled “classified”, published during the Culture Revolution (1966-1976), was discovered trading in a collection market in May, which triggered the joint notice by five regional departments, including the bureau of surveying and mapping, civil affairs department, administration for the protection of state secrets and communication administration.”

Professional Land Surveyor Source – Xinhua

In what can be only considered as “Big Brother” is watching tactics, it is also required that people report any trading or collecting of these “classified” topographic maps and my favorite – government officials that “lose” any “classified” maps will be punished.

It was also reported that any website “involving classified” topographic map trading will be closed by the Chinese Government.

Beyond sounding scary, I wonder how one knows that any topographic maps you are trading in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are the “classified” ones? I highly recommend that the authorities in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region post all of these “classified” topographic maps online immediately to clear up any confusion and to help its citizens, and other indigenous populations they believe themselves to rule, to keep themselves as law abiding persons.