Taiwan has asked Google to stop labelling it as a “province of China” in Google Maps. BBC coverage (via Cartography). Google Maps Mania has an excellent post that includes links to other news sources. Google Earth Blog and Ogle Earth correct the mistaken reporting that it was Google Earth, not Google Maps, that was at the heart of the controversy.

The Taiwanese government recognizes itself as the Republic of China, not as a province of the PRC: independent, but not necessarily separate. I wouldn’t be at all surprised of “province of China” was added on the request of the Chinese government, which tech companies have been loath to provoke of late.

See previous entry: Google Earth and Disputed Borders and Names.