Vietnamese consumers have launched a boycott against Chinese milk tea brand Chagee after discovering that its app and website displayed China’s controversial nine-dash line. This map, which represents China’s claims over much of the South China Sea, is a deeply sensitive issue in Vietnam, where sovereignty over maritime territory is a matter of national pride. The backlash led to Chagee’s Ho Chi Minh City store removing its branding before its scheduled opening, underscoring the strong public sentiment against businesses perceived as disrespecting Vietnam’s territorial integrity.
Adding to the controversy, a baby Three Doll produced by Chinese toy manufacturer Sanli also recently sparked outrage in Vietnam. Authorities and netizens claimed that the marking on the doll’s face resembled the nine-dash line. When questioned, the company denied any political intention, stating that the design was merely “gothic.” However, the backlash intensified, with calls for bans and boycotts, highlighting how even seemingly apolitical consumer products can become entangled in territorial disputes in the region.
The Nine-Dash Line: A Regional Flashpoint
The nine-dash line is highly contentious in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations because it overlaps with their own territorial claims. China’s assertion of sovereignty over nearly 90% of the South China Sea, using this line, conflicts with the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In Vietnam, this issue has led to widespread nationalist sentiment, with previous boycotts targeting businesses, films, and products that incorporate the disputed map.
Origins of the Nine-Dash Line
The nine-dash line was first introduced in 1947 by the Republic of China (ROC) government, which laid claim to vast portions of the South China Sea. When the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established in 1949, it adopted and continued asserting this claim. Originally drawn with eleven dashes, two were removed under Mao Zedong’s leadership to reflect China’s recognition of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Gulf of Tonkin. The term “nine-dash line” comes from the number of dashes used in the modern version of the claim, though the placement and number of dashes have varied in some maps over time.
Despite its long-standing use in Chinese maps, the claim lacks a clear legal basis under international law, and Beijing has never fully clarified its exact coordinates, making enforcement and opposition highly contentious.
UNCLOS Maritime Zones
UNCLOS does not name specific maritime regions but classifies them into legal zones based on sovereignty and rights:
- Territorial Sea (up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline): Coastal states have full sovereignty.
- Contiguous Zone (12–24 nautical miles): States have limited enforcement rights for customs, immigration, and security.
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (up to 200 nautical miles): States have sovereign rights over resource exploration and use, but not full sovereignty.
- Continental Shelf (can extend beyond 200 nautical miles if natural prolongation criteria are met): States have rights over seabed resources.
- High Seas (beyond national jurisdiction): Open to all states, governed by international law.
Other Claimants and the UN Ruling
The South China Sea dispute involves multiple countries, each with overlapping claims. The most contested territories include:
- Paracel Islands (claimed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan)
- Spratly Islands (claimed in whole or in part by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan)
- Scarborough Shoal (claimed by China, the Philippines, and Taiwan)
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines in a case against China, stating that Beijing’s expansive claims under the nine-dash line had no legal basis under UNCLOS. However, China rejected the ruling and has since intensified its militarisation and island-building efforts in the region.
Vietnam and other ASEAN nations continue to resist China’s assertions through diplomatic and legal means, but tensions remain high.
Singapore’s Position on the Dispute
As a non-claimant state, Singapore is not directly involved in the South China Sea disputes. However, as a major maritime hub, it has a vested interest in maintaining freedom of navigation and regional stability. Singapore has consistently advocated for adherence to international law, particularly UNCLOS, and has encouraged ASEAN-China negotiations for a binding Code of Conduct.
While it maintains good relations with both China and its Southeast Asian neighbours, Singapore has had to navigate a delicate diplomatic balance to avoid being drawn into the tensions.
What does this mean?
The Chagee boycott in Vietnam highlights the enduring sensitivity of the nine-dash line issue.
While businesses may not always intend to take political stances, the inclusion of contested symbols can have serious consequences in politically charged regions. The broader South China Sea dispute continues to shape geopolitical dynamics, and as Vietnam, China, and other Southeast Asian nations assert their claims, tensions over sovereignty, economic interests, and regional security are likely to persist.
