Vietnam's Ban on 'Barbie' Movie Sparks Diplomatic Controversy

Vietnam has banned the release of Warner Bros.' film "Barbie" domestically due to a scene featuring a map that includes China's disputed territory in the South China Sea. The controversial "nine-dash line" depicted on the map represents China's expansive claims in the region, which were invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016. This is not the first time Vietnam has banned a movie for depicting the nine-dash line, as previous films such as "Abominable" and "Unchartered" faced similar restrictions. Vietnam and China have long-standing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with Vietnam accusing Chinese vessels of violating its sovereignty.