Vietnam bans 'Barbie' movie over South China Sea map

Film shows Beijing's 'nine-dash line' marking disputed maritime claims

20230703N Barbie Vietnam

Actor Margot Robbie appears during a photo call for the upcoming Warner Bros. film "Barbie" in Los Angeles on June 25. © Reuters

HANOI (Reuters) -- Vietnam has banned the highly anticipated Warner Bros. film "Barbie" from domestic distribution over a scene featuring a map that shows China's unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday.

The U-shaped "nine-dash line" is used on Chinese maps to illustrate its claims over vast areas of the South China Sea, including swathes of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions.

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