HANOI – Vietnamese authorities have moved swiftly to confiscate Chinese-made dolls found to feature an image resembling the contentious “nine-dash line,” Beijing’s controversial territorial claim in the South China Sea. The move underscores Hanoi’s firm stance against any products that challenge its sovereignty.

According to the Vietnam News Agency, the dolls, which have been available in Vietnamese markets and online platforms such as TikTok Shop, Shopee, and Facebook since May 2024, were recently flagged by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The dolls’ cheek bore markings that resembled the “nine-dash line,” a symbol of China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, which are vehemently rejected by Vietnam and other regional nations.

The Ministry’s Domestic Markets Department issued an urgent directive to local authorities, mandating the immediate seizure of these toys. Tran Huu Linh, the department’s director general, emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, “Since this issue concerns Vietnam’s national security and territorial sovereignty, the authorities must confiscate any toys containing this image.” He also warned that those involved in the sale or distribution of such products would face legal sanctions.

The South China Sea remains a highly contested region, vital for global maritime trade, with competing claims from China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Beijing’s claim, based on historical maps featuring the “nine-dash line,” has been a source of ongoing tension. In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal, acting on a petition from the Philippines, ruled that China’s “historic rights” claims were invalid. However, Beijing dismissed the ruling and continues to assert its presence through its coast guard and maritime militia.

This incident is not an isolated one. Last year, Vietnam banned the film “Barbie” due to a scene depicting a stylized map of China’s territorial claims. The repeated discovery of products bearing the “nine-dash line” highlights the ongoing challenge of protecting Vietnam’s sovereignty against perceived encroachments.

The Vietnamese government’s decisive action reflects its commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity and sends a clear message that any products that undermine its sovereignty will not be tolerated. The authorities are now intensifying efforts to monitor and control the sale of products that could potentially violate national security.