Summary
Netflix removed a Chinese drama series from its platform in Vietnam following objections from the Vietnamese government. The drama features a map of the South China Sea that includes the nine-dash line, a territorial claim by China that Vietnam disputes. Vietnam had asked Netflix to take down the series, and Netflix complied within the given time frame.
Key Facts
- Netflix pulled the Chinese drama "Shine On Me" from its Vietnam platform.
- Vietnam objected to a map shown in the drama featuring the nine-dash line, which China uses to mark its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
- Vietnam sees these territorial claims as inaccurate and infringing on its sovereignty.
- The Vietnamese culture ministry gave Netflix 24 hours to remove the series after its demand on January 3.
- "Shine On Me" was among Netflix's Top 10 shows in Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam before its removal.
- China has not officially responded to the ban, but a Chinese state-run newspaper called for separation of cultural matters from territorial disputes.
- The South China Sea dispute involves multiple countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.
- Vietnam has previously requested the removal of other content featuring the nine-dash line.
