Why Every Map of China is Just Slightly Wrong
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN commenters cite it as a quick reference whenever China's GPS, mapping or tech-compliance rules come up, as evidence that map inaccuracy there is deliberate.
Recommended by 0 people across 0 different months, 2019 to 2026.
What it is
A short Half as Interesting explainer on why maps of China are deliberately distorted. Chinese law requires mapping to be licensed and approved, and published maps use an obfuscated coordinate system, so no fully accurate public map exists.
What people said
Cites DaniloDias · 2019-08 · Hacker News · on “China's version of GPS now has more satellites than US original”
Every map in China is wrong. [this video] Pretty significant indicator that the intention is for military applications
Cites jiggawatts · 2019-10 · Hacker News · on “Apple Hides Taiwan Flag in Hong Kong”
Funnily enough I just watched this video about how every map of China is deliberately wrong to be compliant with an idiotic law they have: [this video]
Cites ButlerianJihad · 2026-10 · Hacker News · on “Cartographers of North Korea (2019)”
Coincidentally, yesterday I just found this chestnut from "Half as Interesting" in 2019: [this video] Summary: in China, cartography is illegal without approval and a license. The maps that do exist are deliberately wrong. They are obfuscated by technical means, and therefore, by design, there are no accurate extant maps of China. [LINK] For comparison: even South Korea! [LINK]