The upcoming "Barbie" movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has ignited a political firestorm. Several Republican lawmakers are criticizing the film's inclusion of a map that appears to endorse China's disputed claims in the South China Sea. This has led to the film being banned in Vietnam, with the Philippines potentially following suit.

Representative Mike Gallagher, chair of the House select committee on China, expressed concern that even a seemingly innocuous "cartoonish" map in a fictional setting could reflect Hollywood's susceptibility to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He urged Warner Bros. to clarify the map's intention.

Representative Mike Waltz criticized the film industry for what he perceives as hypocrisy, suggesting that Hollywood prioritizes access to China's lucrative market over addressing human rights concerns. The map in question depicts the "nine-dash line," representing China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, a region also claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

Critics argue that Hollywood often overlooks China's human rights record to maintain access to its large audience. Representative Jim Banks, another member of the China committee, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Hollywood's actions could undermine U.S. influence and even national security. Senator Marsha Blackburn called the map's inclusion both legally and morally questionable.

While a 2016 international tribunal ruled against China's claims in the South China Sea, Beijing has rejected the decision. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between Hollywood's commercial interests and geopolitical considerations.