difference between "east of" and "to the east of"

[chance22]

If we say A is east of B, is it the same as is in the sentence "A is to the east of B"?Thank you.

[albertino]

If we say A is (in the) east of B, is it the same as is in the sentence "A is to the east of B"?Thank you.

(Not a teacher)
A is in the east of B (if A is located within B, i.e. A is an integral part of B)
For example:
Japan is (in the) east of Asia.
Italy is (in the) south of Europe.
A is to the east of B (if A is located outside B, i.e. A is not an integral part of B)
For example:
Japan lies (to the) east of China.
France lies (to the) east of England.

[Raymott]

If we say A is east of B, is it the same as is in the sentence "A is to the east of B"?Thank you.

They can mean the same thing.
But, geographically, Shanghai is east of Beijing (by a few degrees).
But it would be strange to say "Shanghai is to the east of Beijing"; it's normally used to indicate a general direction.
"Shanghai is [to the] SSE of Beijing".

[chance22]

They can mean the same thing.
But, geographically, Shanghai is east of Beijing (by a few degrees).
But it would be strange to say "Shanghai is to the east of Beijing"; it's normally used to indicate a general direction.
"Shanghai is [to the] SSE of Beijing".

Thank you for the help. But I still don't quite catch the last sentence. "Shanghai is [to the] SSE of Beijing". What does that "SSE" indicate? Is this sentence also correct?
What if the two city or province share the same border? Is it OK to use A is to the east of B?

[Raymott]

Thank you for the help. But I still don't quite catch the last sentence. "Shanghai is [to the] SSE of Beijing". What does that "SSE" indicate? Is this sentence also correct?
What if the two city or province share the same border? Is it OK to use A is to the east of B?
Yes.
St Paul is [to the] east of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Tokyo is [to the] east of Yokohama (just).

SSE = south south-east. Compass directions are progressively divided into quarters.