‘Barbie’ movie banned in Vietnam: An issue made in China or imagined?

Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism determined on Jul. 3 that Barbie would be barred from screenings in Vietnamese theaters for an apparent depiction of the nine-dash line.

The nine-dash line is a controversial maritime claim by China of much of the South China Sea that extends hundreds of miles beyond what international law deems to be China’s actual territory. Countries whose maritime claims are violated by the line include the Philippenes, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Over the years China has created artificial islands in the claimed territory to strengthen its hold on the region. According to research by The Guardian and other outlets, some of these islands are even home to military bases.

This is not the first time that China’s maritime claims have caused issues with its neighbors. A United Nations tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016 when that country made claims against China for its violation of Philippine maritime territory.

The action taken by Vietnam against the Barbie movie appears to be an effort to pressure the international community into doing more on the issue of Chinese territorial claims.

However, there is no proof that the Barbie movie truly shows the nine-dash line. In fact, the controversial map – which appears to be drawn by a child – has many dotted lines scattered about with countries and continents drawn woefully out of scale. Many claims could easily be made of the map and all could be refuted.

While there is no scientific or expert opinion to be given on the matter, it appears that Vietnam’s banning of the movie is an emotional reaction more than anything. Internationally Vietnam’s decision has made a splash in the media, but its outrage over the movie has not been matched by other countries. In early July, NPR reported that authorities in the Philippines were considering a ban. However, Filipino authorities later decided that the Barbie movie did not depict Chinese territorial claims.

With tensions already hot between China and much of the world, there is little room for major international players to complain about a fictional map.

Overall, Vietnam’s banning of the Barbie movie appears to be over an imagined issue rather than one that was manufactured in China. Maybe next time Vietnam’s outrage will be more successful in galvanizing the international community and American Armed Forces Barbie will be sent to take care of it.