Barbie Pink and Blue National Soil: Revisiting China’s Nine-Dash Line

By Abbey Tomkinson

Editor - Ayesha Qamar

The opinions expressed in this article reflect the opinions of its author(s). They do not represent the views of the UCL International Relations Society, Circum Mundum, or its Editorial Team.

In September, Barbie became the highest-grossing movie of the year worldwide. At the same time, it also became the most successful global release in Warner Bros. history. Despite its massive success, the film has been subject to geopolitical controversy due to a particular scene displaying a map adorned with dotted lines reminiscent of China's disputed "nine-dash line." This delineation represents China's unilateral territorial claims over a substantial portion of the South China Sea, an area subject to conflicting assertions from countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei. Notably, the map featured in Barbie contains a cartoonish doodle of an eight-dash line and omits identifiable Southeast Asian nations, distinguishing it from more explicit portrayals of the "nine-dash line" seen in other films and television shows. Although it's not the first film to be embroiled in this contentious matter, it does provide a catalyst for revisiting both the history and implications of what is colloquially known as China’s “blue national soil, a phrase that signifies China's ambition to assert unequivocal territorial sovereignty at sea commensurate with the authority exercised by governments within their continental borders.

This contentious geopolitical issue has sparked tensions and disputes among several countries in the region. The Nine-Dash Line was first formally asserted by the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the 1940s, predating the People's Republic of China (PRC). It consists of nine dashes or line segments, encircling much of the South China Sea; however, the line has never been precisely defined, leading to ambiguity and differing interpretations. China claims historic rights and sovereignty over the territories and waters encompassed by the Nine-Dash Line. This claim includes islands, atolls, shoals, and reefs such as the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, and Scarborough Shoal.

The South China Sea is a critical region for global trade, with a significant portion of the world's trade passing through its waters. The area is rich in natural resources, including oil and gas reserves. Control over this region enables a country to exert influence over trade routes and resource extraction, which are vital for economic and geopolitical interests. China's assertion of the Nine-Dash Line is viewed as an attempt to establish dominance and secure strategic and economic interests. The international community, including many Asian nations, opposes China's expansive territorial claims and the Nine-Dash Line. Several neighbouring countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, have territorial claims that overlap with China's Nine-Dash Line. This has led to heightened tensions, territorial disputes, and occasional confrontations, both diplomatically and physically. For the countries directly involved, the issue is a matter of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The countries mentioned above have legitimate claims to the disputed areas, and they want to assert their rights and protect their territories. The overlapping territorial claims and military activities in the South China Sea create a risk of unintended escalation. Incidents involving naval vessels, fishing boats, or aircraft can rapidly escalate tensions and potentially trigger conflict, which could have broader regional and global implications. The evolving geopolitical landscape, including China's rise as a major global power, has shifted the balance of power in the region. The disputes and assertive actions taken by China to enforce its claims have significantly strained regional stability. Concerns of conflicts have prompted neighbouring countries to seek support from international alliances and organisations. Various mechanisms and platforms, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and dialogues involving China, have been utilised to address the South China Sea disputes. However, achieving a peaceful and mutually agreeable resolution remains a complex and ongoing challenge.

The disputes in the South China Sea impact freedom of navigation, a fundamental principle of international law. This principle serves as a cornerstone of global maritime trade and security which safeguards the unimpeded movement of ships - and even aircraft - ensuring they can transit through international waters and related airspace without undue interference or coercion. China's expansive claims and aggressive actions could potentially restrict freedom of navigation, affecting not only regional countries but also global maritime trade and security. The Nine-Dash Line is often seen as inconsistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS, to which China is a signatory, provides a framework for delineating maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) based on a country's coastline and relevant geographic features.

In 2013, the Philippines initiated arbitral proceedings against China regarding the South China Sea. The Philippines contested China's claims based on the Nine-Dash Line under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued a landmark ruling in favour of the Philippines, declaring that China's claim based on the Nine-Dash Line was inconsistent with UNCLOS. The ruling upheld the principles of UNCLOS, reinforcing the importance of the international legal framework governing maritime disputes. It set a precedent for the resolution of disputes based on international law, promoting a rules-based order in the South China Sea. Despite this, China rejected the arbitration and the ruling, asserting that it had historical and sovereign rights in the South China Sea. This response highlighted the challenge of enforcing international law in territorial disputes and demonstrated China's resolve to assert its claims irrespective of legal judgments. The ruling did, however, have implications for regional dynamics, influencing the perceptions and actions of other claimant states in the South China Sea. It emboldened some countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, to assert their rights and interests in the region, seeking to uphold international law and the UNCLOS framework. The ruling also encouraged the United States to emphasise the importance of upholding international law and the UNCLOS framework, aligning with the Philippines and other countries that supported the arbitration. This case further contributed to the escalation of tensions between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea.

In the most recent development, on August 28, 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources formally released the 2023 edition of the "standard map of China". Notably, this updated edition incorporates an incremental demarcation, constituting ten dashed lines, conspicuously positioned to the east of Taiwan. This alteration implies an extension of China's territorial assertions within the surrounding region.

China's territorial claims in the South China Sea therefore remain highly relevant in the present day. The defiance of international law and disregard for the arbitral ruling by China raises concerns about the sanctity of international agreements and norms as well as adherence to contemporary international legal frameworks. The South China Sea issue remains relevant due to its geopolitical, economic, legal, and security implications. It is a complex and sensitive matter that requires sustained diplomatic efforts, adherence to international law, and multilateral cooperation to manage and resolve the disputes peacefully. Bilateral and multilateral negotiations are ongoing, but achieving a peaceful resolution is complicated due to differing interests, historical grievances, and power dynamics.