I’m OP and I’ve spent like the whole evening reading those text walls.. Have to admit I failed to follow up most previous discussions (especially those non factual discussions)…

I’m just confused af: Is this post about 1) the illegality of unauthorized mapping in China, or 2) how to properly tag a disputed area, or 3) the evils that CCP has ever made, or 4) how Chinese mappers should be treated and how OSM should act, or 5) something else ?

F-Droid is not blocked in China. The OSM data is somehow used outside China boundries in the official online map, and OSM is not given credit unless you zoom in a place outside China to the maximum. Notice the credits info:

自然资源部 & NavInfo & OpenStreetMap contributors 审图号：GS(2021)3715号

“自然资源部” means Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources, NavInfo is a Chinese map service provider, and “审图号” refers to a serial number which enables the map to be publicized. (meanwhile openstreetmap.org doesn’t have such serial number so it is illegal in China. Not blocked though probably because seldom have heard of it and it’s not a big threat(?) )

However I do not know how they are using OSM because the official map is not open sourced.

@westnordost,

Not involving with those political stuff is a wise move :)

What is the reason why you contribute to OpenStreetMap? Do you think this law is outdated and/or not really applicable? Is it something like trivial offense that is not enforced anyway?

OpenStreetMap is not so popular in China because the data quality of OSM is not as good as those local map service providers (e.g. Amap, Baidu Map), i mean, super bad esp. in rural areas. Most people who use and contribute in my opinion are researchers, geo-/carto-geeks or outdoor enthutiasts.

I do not know how many OSM contributors are aware of the illegality of mapping, but it seems that Chinese govn’t choose to turn a blind eye on those offenses - as long as the mapper doesn’t map sensitive stuff on OSM (e.g. military installations).

But still, one risk being accused of illegal mapping/surveying because theoretically speaking it is indeed an offence. The OSMWiki page of China explains it well.

Also, is OpenStreetMap blocked in China? And if not, why not - if it is illegal to create/use maps not issued by the government, it would seem logical to block access to it. Finally, are there any map apps in China people can use and have access to that use OpenStreetMap data? What is your personal experience with the quality of that data?

No, OSM isn’t blocked in China (while Google Maps is blocked). And ironically even the official online map released by Chinese Gov’t uses Openstreetmap data - it is a wild fusion of gov’t data (within China boundaries) and OSM data (outside China boundaries). And that might explain why China gov’t choose to connive at the exsistence of OpenStreetMap.

And a side note: Google Map is blocked because all google products are blocked in China :(

@ndrw6

Again, please refrain from politics and ideology discussions, that is beyond OSM’s scope. Only on-the-ground facts.

If you are not convinced by the proofs (or the what-you-called propagandas) from the Chinses side, just take a look at this Twitter post (from India) to have some basic knowledge about what’s happening there.

https://twitter.com/HiddenRoots6/status/1355984494713597954

Apparently China has military presence at the disputed region, which results in a de facto control of the area (no matter it is legal or evil or whatever you describes it as). The OSM mapping at such area is consistent with the on the ground FACTs in the physical world, not Chinese propaganda.