Warner Bros’ ‘Barbie’ Film Banned in Vietnam Amid South China Sea Controversy

Vietnam has recently taken a firm stance against Warner Bros’ film “Barbie” due to a contentious scene that depicts China’s unilateral claim over territory in the South China Sea. The disputed “nine-dash line,” a symbol used by China to assert its sovereignty over large portions of the region, has been the subject of international contention, especially with Vietnam. This article explores the implications of Vietnam’s ban on “Barbie” and examines the underlying territorial disputes between the two nations that have fueled such censorship decisions.

The South China Sea Dispute

The South China Sea is a vital waterway bordered by several countries, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. The region is rich in natural resources and holds strategic importance for global trade. However, overlapping territorial claims have led to longstanding disputes and tensions in the area.

China’s “Nine-Dash Line” Claim

At the center of the South China Sea dispute is China’s “nine-dash line,” which appears on Chinese maps to assert its territorial claims over vast expanses of the sea. The U-shaped line encircles the majority of the waters, including areas that Vietnam considers its continental shelf. This claim not only overlaps with Vietnam’s own territorial claims but also encroaches upon the exclusive economic zones of other Southeast Asian nations.

The Hague’s 2016 Ruling

The validity of China’s “nine-dash line” claim was brought before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, following the Philippines’ challenge to China’s expansive maritime assertion. The court ruled against China, stating that the “nine-dash line” claim lacked any legal basis and that it did not grant China historic rights within the waters. China, however, refused to accept the ruling, leading to further tensions in the region.

Cinema as a Battleground

Vietnam’s response to Warner Bros’ “Barbie” film is not an isolated incident. The country has previously banned other movies that depict China’s controversial “nine-dash line.” For example, in 2019, DreamWorks’ animated film “Abominable” was pulled from Vietnamese theaters, and last year, Sony’s action movie “Uncharted” faced a similar fate. In 2021, Netflix also removed the Australian spy drama “Pine Gap” from its Vietnamese catalog.

The recent ban on “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, marks the latest addition to Vietnam’s censorship of films featuring the “nine-dash line.” Originally scheduled to release in Vietnam on the same date as the United States, the film was denied a license by the Department of Cinema, the government body responsible for licensing and censoring foreign films in Vietnam.

Implications of the Ban

Vietnam’s decision to ban “Barbie” underscores the seriousness of the South China Sea dispute and demonstrates the nation’s commitment to protecting its territorial integrity. The ban serves as a strong message to both domestic audiences and the international community, showcasing Vietnam’s refusal to endorse any representation that supports China’s contested claims in the region.

As of this writing, Warner Bros has not yet responded to Vietnam’s ban. It remains to be seen how China will react to this development, as the dispute over the “nine-dash line” continues to be a sensitive diplomatic issue.

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Contributed by Jolie Nguyen Pham