The Vietnamese government banned distribution of the popular film Barbieas it includes a map showing disputed Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea, state media reported.

The newspaper Vietnam Express and other media said the posters advertised Barbie was removed from the film distributors’ websites on Monday following the decision. The film, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling and directed by Greta Gerwig, was set to hit theaters in Vietnam on July 21.

Reports quoted Vi Kien Thanh, director general of Vietnam’s film department, as saying that the National Film Rating Board made the decision. He said a map in the film shows China’s “nine-dash line,” which extends Beijing’s territorial claims far into waters that fall into areas claimed by Vietnam and other countries.

The “nine-dash line” is an obscure but sensitive issue for China and its neighbors, showing that Beijing’s maritime border extends into areas claimed by other governments and includes most of the South China Sea. This led to tense clashes with the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines – with Chinese fishing boats and military vessels becoming more aggressive in contested waters.

Asked about the issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a daily briefing Tuesday, “China’s position on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent.”

“We believe that relevant countries should not link the South China Sea issue with normal cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” she added.

Warner Bros. offices were closed Tuesday for Independence Day.

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