George Anjay
Netflix has swiftly removed the popular Chinese romance drama "Shine On Me" from its platform in Vietnam following a strong objection from Hanoi over an episode that prominently featured a map depicting China’s controversial "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea. The 27-episode series, which had garnered significant viewership and ranked among Netflix’s Top 10 shows in several Asian territories including Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam prior to its removal, was found to be inaccessible on Tuesday after Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a demand for its immediate withdrawal on January 3rd, granting Netflix a mere 24-hour ultimatum to comply.
The offending imagery, specifically the so-called "nine-dash line," which China uses to assert its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, appeared multiple times within episode 25 of "Shine On Me." The scene in question revolves around a lecture discussing China’s prowess in solar power, where a projected map of China, including a segment of the contentious nine-dash line, was displayed on an auditorium screen. Vietnam, alongside several other nations including the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei, has vehemently condemned these claims as "inaccurate" and a direct infringement upon national sovereignty.
This is not the first instance of a popular Chinese production facing censorship in Vietnam due to the sensitive issue of the South China Sea. The Vietnamese government has a well-established policy of scrutinizing media content for any depiction that challenges its territorial integrity, with the nine-dash line being a particularly potent trigger for public and governmental outrage. In 2023, Netflix was similarly compelled to remove another Chinese drama, "Flight to You," for featuring a map with the disputed demarcation.
The assertive posture of China in the South China Sea has escalated in recent years, with Beijing actively expanding islands, constructing infrastructure, and conducting naval patrols, which have on occasion led to tense confrontations, notably with the Philippine navy. China bases its claims on historical evidence, citing artifacts and ancient navigational guides used by Chinese fishermen. However, this historical narrative is fiercely contested by Vietnam and other claimant states. In a significant international ruling in 2016, an arbitral tribunal in The Hague rejected China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea, a judgment that Beijing has refused to recognize.
The core of the dispute between Beijing and Hanoi centers on the strategically vital Paracel and Spratly island chains, which are encompassed by the nine-dash line on Chinese maps. China asserts historical rights to these territories, dating back centuries when they were allegedly considered integral parts of the Chinese nation. Vietnam, however, vehemently disputes this historical account, maintaining that China did not assert sovereignty over these islands until the 1940s. Hanoi presents historical documentation, asserting its continuous rule over the Paracels and Spratlys since the 17th century.
The Vietnamese government’s stance on the South China Sea issue is one of the few areas where it actively aligns with and even encourages public sentiment that affirms its territorial claims. While the government generally works to manage and contain anti-China sentiment on other matters, criticism that supports Hanoi’s sovereignty in the South China Sea is considered an acceptable form of protest. The nine-dash line, therefore, represents a red line that authorities are particularly vigilant in policing.
Netflix’s compliance with Vietnam’s demand highlights the streaming giant’s efforts to navigate complex geopolitical sensitivities and adhere to local content regulations in its global operations. According to Netflix’s own reports, between 2019 and 2024, Vietnam has lodged eight written takedown requests, indicating a consistent pattern of regulatory scrutiny.
The controversy surrounding "Shine On Me" also underscores a broader trend of international productions being banned in Vietnam for featuring the nine-dash line. This extends beyond Chinese dramas to include major Hollywood and international films. In 2023, Warner Bros.’ blockbuster "Barbie" was banned in Vietnam for similar reasons, and prior to that, in 2016, DreamWorks’ animated film "Abominable" faced a similar fate. These instances demonstrate Vietnam’s firm and consistent policy of rejecting any media that visually endorses China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, prioritizing national sovereignty and historical narratives.
While Beijing has remained officially silent on the ban of "Shine On Me," its state-run newspaper, the Global Times, published an article on Tuesday urging Hanoi to "separate cultural exchanges from [the] South China Sea issue." This statement implicitly acknowledges the controversy while attempting to frame it as an overreaction that could impede bilateral cultural ties. However, for Vietnam, the South China Sea is not merely a geopolitical issue; it is a matter of national identity and territorial integrity, and any perceived compromise, even through artistic representation, is met with swift and decisive action. The removal of "Shine On Me" serves as a potent reminder of the enduring sensitivity surrounding the South China Sea and the lengths to which nations will go to defend their claims and national narratives.
The dispute over the South China Sea is a complex web of historical claims, international law, and strategic interests, with the nine-dash line serving as a visual symbol of China’s expansive assertions. As global streaming platforms like Netflix expand their reach, they increasingly find themselves at the intersection of these geopolitical fault lines, facing the challenge of balancing content diversity with the sovereign sensitivities of the nations in which they operate. The "Shine On Me" incident is a stark illustration of this delicate balancing act and the significant consequences of missteps in navigating these contentious territorial waters. The continued vigilance of countries like Vietnam in policing media content for such depictions underscores the enduring importance of the South China Sea dispute on the international stage.
Nana Banana
Roy Suryo
Ramos Leo