Barbie, a 2023 US fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig and written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, was banned in Vietnam, a country in Asia, over the South China Sea issue. Vietnamese authorities have said that the film features images of China’s illegal nine-dash, which violates the maritime sovereignty of Vietnam.  Why has Vietnam banned the film? What is …

The recent controversy surrounding the Barbie movie’s map, as reported by NPR, depicting the Philippines, Vietnam, and China, raises concerns about the representation of geographical boundaries and the potential implications it can have on diplomatic relations. It is important to approach such matters with sensitivity, respect for national sovereignty, and an understanding of the historical context. Maps are not just …