Vietnam has launched an inspection into K-pop group Blackpink's tour organiser's website, ahead of its concert in Hanoi, over criticism from fans that it shows a map of the South China Sea with disputed boundaries.

The controversy follows Vietnam's decision to ban Warner Bros' highly-anticipated film Barbie&nbsp;over a scene allegedly featuring the "nine-dash line" used in Chinese maps to illustrate Beijing's claims over vast areas of the South China Sea, including swathes of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf.

Vietnam's culture ministry said late on Wednesday it had ordered an inspection of the website "to verify the suspicion that the company organizing the Blackpink music night promoted the cow-tongue line", using the Vietnamese phrase to describe the U-shaped line.

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The ministry did not immediately respond to questions about the possible outcome of the inspection. It was unclear when it would announce its findings.

Chinese organiser iME&nbsp;Entertainment&nbsp;and South Korean agency YG&nbsp;Entertainment, which manages Blackpink, had no immediate comment.

The organiser's website was inaccessible on Thursday but a cached version seen by Reuters and last updated on July 4, shows a vague nine-dash line that encompasses nearly the whole South China Sea.

Vietnam and China have long had overlapping territorial claims to a potentially energy-rich stretch in the waterway. The Southeast Asian country has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of violating its sovereignty.

Blackpink, a cornerstone of South Korea's multi-billion dollar&nbsp;entertainment&nbsp;industry, is the latest to court trouble in Vietnam for depicting China's controversial nine-dash line, which was repudiated in an international arbitration ruling by a court in The Hague in 2016. China refuses to recognise the ruling.

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The culture ministry's move followed complaints by Vietnamese internet users who noticed the nine-dash line on the organiser's website.

"Bought two tickets for me and my date. Then saw the cow-tongue, and quit. I am (a) patriot," Tu Anh Xinh, a Blackpink fan wrote on Facebook.

The world-famous K-pop girl group is due to perform in Vietnam for the first time ever on July 29-30, having been granted a government license that requested the organiser to comply with the government's regulations on performing activities.

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Vietnam has launched an inspection into K-pop group Blackpink's tour organiser's website, ahead of its concert in Hanoi, over criticism from fans that it shows a map of the South China Sea with disputed boundaries.

Vietnam has launched an inspection into K-pop group Blackpink's tour organiser's website, ahead of its concert in Hanoi, over criticism from fans that it shows a map of the South China Sea with disputed boundaries. The controversy follows Vietnam's decision to ban Warner Bros' highly-anticipated film Barbie over a scene allegedly featuring the "nine-dash line" used in Chinese maps to illustrate Beijing's claims over vast areas of the South China Sea, including swathes of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf. Vietnam's culture ministry said late on Wednesday it had ordered an inspection of the website "to verify the suspicion that the company organizing the Blackpink music night promoted the cow-tongue line", using the Vietnamese phrase to describe the U-shaped line. Also read: Coco Lee: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon singer's journey from fame to depression The ministry did not immediately respond to questions about the possible outcome of the inspection. It was unclear when it would announce its findings. Chinese organiser iME Entertainment and South Korean agency YG Entertainment, which manages Blackpink, had no immediate comment. The organiser's website was inaccessible on Thursday but a cached version seen by Reuters and last updated on July 4, shows a vague nine-dash line that encompasses nearly the whole South China Sea. Vietnam and China have long had overlapping territorial claims to a potentially energy-rich stretch in the waterway. The Southeast Asian country has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of violating its sovereignty. Blackpink, a cornerstone of South Korea's multi-billion dollar entertainment industry, is the latest to court trouble in Vietnam for depicting China's controversial nine-dash line, which was repudiated in an international arbitration ruling by a court in The Hague in 2016. China refuses to recognise the ruling. Also read: Coco Lee: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon singer's journey from fame to depression The culture ministry's move followed complaints by Vietnamese internet users who noticed the nine-dash line on the organiser's website. "Bought two tickets for me and my date. Then saw the cow-tongue, and quit. I am (a) patriot," Tu Anh Xinh, a Blackpink fan wrote on Facebook. The world-famous K-pop girl group is due to perform in Vietnam for the first time ever on July 29-30, having been granted a government license that requested the organiser to comply with the government's regulations on performing activities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Vietnam probes Blackpink concert organiser over South China Sea map

Warner Bros' highly-anticipated movie Barbie&nbsp;has been banned by the Vietnamese government over a scene featuring a map that shows China's unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea. The map depicts the controversial nine-dash line, which was repudiated in an international arbitration ruling by a court in The Hague in 2016. China refuses to recognise the ruling.

In 2019, DreamWorks’ animated film Abominable&nbsp;was banned from domestic distribution in Vietnam and last year, the action movie Unchartered&nbsp;was banned for a similar reason.

"We do not grant a license for the American movie Barbie&nbsp;to release in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line," local media cited Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Department of Cinema, a government body in charge of licensing and censoring foreign films.

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China uses the U-shaped "nine-dash line" in maps to illustrate its claims over vast areas of the South China Sea, including swathes of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions.&nbsp;

Southeast Asian countries like China, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan have had disputes over the contentious region for centuries. The two primary points of contention remain the Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands. Vietnam has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of violating its sovereignty around those regions.

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Warner Bros is yet to comment on the decision.

Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, was originally slated to release in Vietnam on July 21.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Warner Bros' highly-anticipated movie Barbie has been banned by the Vietnamese government over a scene featuring a map that shows China's unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea.

Warner Bros' highly-anticipated movie Barbie has been banned by the Vietnamese government over a scene featuring a map that shows China's unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea. The map depicts the controversial nine-dash line, which was repudiated in an international arbitration ruling by a court in The Hague in 2016. China refuses to recognise the ruling. In 2019, DreamWorks’ animated film Abominable was banned from domestic distribution in Vietnam and last year, the action movie Unchartered was banned for a similar reason. "We do not grant a license for the American movie Barbie to release in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line," local media cited Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Department of Cinema, a government body in charge of licensing and censoring foreign films. China uses the U-shaped "nine-dash line" in maps to illustrate its claims over vast areas of the South China Sea, including swathes of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. Southeast Asian countries like China, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan have had disputes over the contentious region for centuries. The two primary points of contention remain the Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands. Vietnam has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of violating its sovereignty around those regions. Also read: Chinese pop idol Cai Xukun finally breaks silence; denies wrongdoing in sex scandal Warner Bros is yet to comment on the decision. Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, was originally slated to release in Vietnam on July 21. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's Barbie film banned in Vietnam over South China Sea map

Vietnam has banned a new Hollywood film starring Tom Holland over scenes with a map showing Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday.

The action-and-adventure caper 'Uncharted'&nbsp;shows a map featuring the so-called nine-dash line, which sets out Beijing's expansive claims to the disputed waters, where Hanoi has rival claims.&nbsp;

Sony's movie, starring Mark Walhberg, Antonio Banderas and Holland had been set for nationwide release on March 18.

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"During the movie review, the National Evaluation and Classification Council discovered that the image of the nine-dashed line appeared in the movie," the director of Vietnam's Department of Cinema&nbsp;Vi Kien Thanh told the state-controlled Zing news outlet.

"Therefore, this movie will be banned from screening." On the film's official Facebook page, Vietnamese users left comments decrying the map.

"Hoang Sa Truong Sa belongs to Vietnam!," read one, referencing the contested Parcel and Spratly Islands.

The long-running issue has been closely contested in the film world.

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In the 2018 romantic comedy 'Crazy Rich Asians', a scene featuring a designer bag with a map of the world showing the disputed South China Sea islands under Beijing's control was cut in Vietnam.

A year later, Hanoi pulled the animated DreamWorks film "Abominable" from screens over the same issue, with Netflix also told to ditch episodes of its "Pine Gap" series last year over similar scenes.

The South China Sea is home to valuable oil and gas deposits and shipping lanes, and several of China's neighbours have voiced concern that it was seeking to expand its reach.

Vietnam has banned a new Hollywood film starring Tom Holland over scenes with a map showing Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday.

Vietnam has banned a new Hollywood film starring Tom Holland over scenes with a map showing Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday. The action-and-adventure caper 'Uncharted' shows a map featuring the so-called nine-dash line, which sets out Beijing's expansive claims to the disputed waters, where Hanoi has rival claims. Sony's movie, starring Mark Walhberg, Antonio Banderas and Holland had been set for nationwide release on March 18. Shawn Levy tapped to helm Ryan Reynolds starrer 'Deadpool 3' "During the movie review, the National Evaluation and Classification Council discovered that the image of the nine-dashed line appeared in the movie," the director of Vietnam's Department of Cinema Vi Kien Thanh told the state-controlled Zing news outlet. "Therefore, this movie will be banned from screening." On the film's official Facebook page, Vietnamese users left comments decrying the map. "Hoang Sa Truong Sa belongs to Vietnam!," read one, referencing the contested Parcel and Spratly Islands. The long-running issue has been closely contested in the film world. Disney suspends political giving in Florida after 'Don't say gay' bill outrage In the 2018 romantic comedy 'Crazy Rich Asians', a scene featuring a designer bag with a map of the world showing the disputed South China Sea islands under Beijing's control was cut in Vietnam. A year later, Hanoi pulled the animated DreamWorks film "Abominable" from screens over the same issue, with Netflix also told to ditch episodes of its "Pine Gap" series last year over similar scenes. The South China Sea is home to valuable oil and gas deposits and shipping lanes, and several of China's neighbours have voiced concern that it was seeking to expand its reach.

Vietnam bans new Tom Holland film over South China Sea map

Netflix Inc has removed Australian spy drama 'Pine Gap' from its services in Vietnam after a complaint from broadcast authorities in the Southeast Asian country about the appearance of a map which depicts Chinese claims in the South China Sea. 
 
The map, which briefly features on the screens of a control room at a spy base in two episodes of the six-part show, depicts China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" and is displayed within the context of maritime claims in the region. 
 
"Netflix`s violations angered and hurt the feelings of the entire people of Vietnam," the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information said in a statement on its website. 
 
"This is the third time in a row in the last 12 months that Netflix has been found to distribute movies and TV shows containing content which violate Vietnam`s sovereignty," said the statement, which was dated July 1. 
 
The 'nine-dash line' is a U-shaped feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its disputed claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. 
 
Chinese and Vietnamese ships have in recent years been embroiled in months-long standoffs in the disputed waterways. 
 
Netflix confirmed it had removed the show in Vietnam but said it remained available on the service in the rest of the world. 
 
"Following a written legal demand from the Vietnamese regulator, we have removed the licensed series, Pine Gap, from Netflix in Vietnam, to comply with local law," a Netflix spokesperson said. 
 
In October 2019, Vietnam pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable'&nbsp;from cinemas over a scene featuring a similar map showing the "nine-dash line". 
 
Vietnam`s broadcasting authority said the other two shows which it had raised as issues with Netflix were 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder', a 2019 Chinese rom-com, and the U.S. political drama 'Madam Secretary'. 
 
'Put Your Head on My Shoulder' was still visible on Netflix on Friday, although 'Madam Secretary' was not.

Netflix Inc has removed Australian spy drama 'Pine Gap' from its services in Vietnam after a complaint from broadcast authorities in the Southeast Asian country about the appearance of a map which depicts Chinese claims in the South China Sea.

Netflix Inc has removed Australian spy drama 'Pine Gap' from its services in Vietnam after a complaint from broadcast authorities in the Southeast Asian country about the appearance of a map which depicts Chinese claims in the South China Sea. The map, which briefly features on the screens of a control room at a spy base in two episodes of the six-part show, depicts China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" and is displayed within the context of maritime claims in the region. "Netflix`s violations angered and hurt the feelings of the entire people of Vietnam," the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information said in a statement on its website. "This is the third time in a row in the last 12 months that Netflix has been found to distribute movies and TV shows containing content which violate Vietnam`s sovereignty," said the statement, which was dated July 1. The 'nine-dash line' is a U-shaped feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its disputed claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. Chinese and Vietnamese ships have in recent years been embroiled in months-long standoffs in the disputed waterways. Netflix confirmed it had removed the show in Vietnam but said it remained available on the service in the rest of the world. "Following a written legal demand from the Vietnamese regulator, we have removed the licensed series, Pine Gap, from Netflix in Vietnam, to comply with local law," a Netflix spokesperson said. In October 2019, Vietnam pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable' from cinemas over a scene featuring a similar map showing the "nine-dash line". Vietnam`s broadcasting authority said the other two shows which it had raised as issues with Netflix were 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder', a 2019 Chinese rom-com, and the U.S. political drama 'Madam Secretary'. 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder' was still visible on Netflix on Friday, although 'Madam Secretary' was not.

Vietnam orders Netflix to remove Australian spy show over South China Sea map

Vietnam has pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable' from cinemas over a scene featuring a map which shows China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday. 
 
The U-shaped line is a feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. 
 
Last week, sports network ESPN faced criticism of its coverage of a row between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and China after using a map that featured the line. 
 
China and Vietnam have been locked in a standoff since China dispatched a vessel to conduct an energy survey in waters controlled by Vietnam in early July. 
 
"We will revoke (the film`s licence)," Ta Quang Dong, deputy minister of culture, sports and tourism, was quoted as saying by the Thanh Nien newspaper. 
 
The ministry is in charge of licensing and censoring foreign films. 
 
'Abominable', about a Chinese girl who discovers a yeti living on her roof, was jointly produced by Shanghai-based Pearl Studio and Comcast-owned DreamWorks Animation and was first shown in Vietnamese cinemas on October&nbsp;4. 
 
The film, which was being marketed in Vietnam as 'Everest: The Little Yeti'&nbsp;was removed from cinemas on Sunday after images of the scene with the offending map were shared widely on social media. 
 
A spokeswoman for CJ CGV Vietnam, Vietnam`s largest cinema chain and a unit of South Korea`s CJ CGV, declined to comment. 
A receptionist at the state-run National Cinema Center in Hanoi said the culture ministry had issued an order requiring all cinemas to stop showing the film because of the map scene. 
 
Calls to Nguyen Thu Ha, the head of the culture ministry`s cinema department, went unanswered on Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At the National Cinema Center in Hanoi, workers could be seen taking down posters of the film late on Monday.&nbsp;In August, police broke up a brief protest outside the Chinese embassy in Hanoi over the survey vessel. 
 
Vietnam has repeatedly accused the vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and has demanded that China remove its ships from the area.

Vietnam has pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable' from cinemas over a scene featuring a map which shows China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday.

Vietnam has pulled DreamWorks` animated film 'Abominable' from cinemas over a scene featuring a map which shows China`s unilaterally declared "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday. The U-shaped line is a feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate its claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. Last week, sports network ESPN faced criticism of its coverage of a row between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and China after using a map that featured the line. China and Vietnam have been locked in a standoff since China dispatched a vessel to conduct an energy survey in waters controlled by Vietnam in early July. "We will revoke (the film`s licence)," Ta Quang Dong, deputy minister of culture, sports and tourism, was quoted as saying by the Thanh Nien newspaper. The ministry is in charge of licensing and censoring foreign films. 'Abominable', about a Chinese girl who discovers a yeti living on her roof, was jointly produced by Shanghai-based Pearl Studio and Comcast-owned DreamWorks Animation and was first shown in Vietnamese cinemas on October 4. The film, which was being marketed in Vietnam as 'Everest: The Little Yeti' was removed from cinemas on Sunday after images of the scene with the offending map were shared widely on social media. A spokeswoman for CJ CGV Vietnam, Vietnam`s largest cinema chain and a unit of South Korea`s CJ CGV, declined to comment. A receptionist at the state-run National Cinema Center in Hanoi said the culture ministry had issued an order requiring all cinemas to stop showing the film because of the map scene. Calls to Nguyen Thu Ha, the head of the culture ministry`s cinema department, went unanswered on Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At the National Cinema Center in Hanoi, workers could be seen taking down posters of the film late on Monday. In August, police broke up a brief protest outside the Chinese embassy in Hanoi over the survey vessel. Vietnam has repeatedly accused the vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and has demanded that China remove its ships from the area.

Vietnam pulls DreamWorks' 'Abominable' film over South China Sea map