Sales of Vietnamese doll plunge over face marking like China’s ‘nine-dash line’

One version of Baby Three doll appears to bear a mark resembling the shape of the ocean border on which China bases its illegitimate claim to most of the South China Sea

Regional tensions over the South China Sea have tanked the sales of a popular children’s doll in Vietnam after it was put under investigation and accused of being unpatriotic because a design marking appeared to resemble China’s “nine-dash line”.

The Baby Three doll is Chinese-made and had reportedly been hugely popular among children and Gen Z in Vietnam earlier this year. Between September, when it first gained popularity, and December the dolls reportedly generated US$1.6m in sales.

Topics

China, Russia and Iran call for end to US sanctions and the restart of nuclear talks

Representatives of China, Russia and Iran called for an end to U.S. sanctions on Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program and a restart to multinational talks on the issue
ABC News - 6d
Russia, China seek end to U.S. sanctions on Iran, resumption of nuclear talks

Representatives of China, Russia and Iran called Friday for an end to U.S. sanctions on Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program and a restart to multinational talks on the issue.
CBS News - 6d
Dalai Lama says his successor to be born outside China

The Dalai Lama’s successor will be born outside China, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism says in a new book, raising the stakes in a dispute with Beijing over control of the Himalayan region ...
NBC News - Mar. 11
In Latin America, China is finally losing ground

Mexico is reviewing its tariff policy over China, and an American investor group has signed a huge deal taking control over key ports near the Panama Canal, indicating that Trump's America First ...
The Hill - Mar. 9
Australia raises concerns with China over letters targeting Hong Kong dissident

The Australian foreign minister raised concerns with China over anonymous letters sent to Australians offering a reward for information on the whereabouts of a Hong Kong dissident.
NBC News - 1d
China’s retail sales strengthen at the start of the year, industrial output tops expectations

China's economic data for the first two months of the year showed a modest pickup as Beijing reiterated its plan to bolster domestic consumption.
CNBC - 3d
'Filled with arrogance': China lashes out at G7 over statements on maritime security

China has lashed out at accusations it is endangering maritime safety made by top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies
ABC News - 5d
Trump is targeting China-made containerships in new flank of global economic war on the oceans

China dominates shipbuilding for the ocean freight market, and President Trump has plans to exact economic punishment to bring the business back to the U.S.
CNBC - Mar. 11
China criticises Hong Kong firm’s sale of majority stake in Panama ports

Commentary urged CK Hutchison to ‘think twice’ about ‘what position and side they are on’ in sale to US investors. Business live – latest updates China has criticised the sale of the business ...
The Guardian - 6d

More in World

Violence Flares as Hindu Group Calls for Removal of Muslim Ruler’s Tomb

The tensions showed how right-wing Hindu leaders and organizations in India use historical grievances to fuel contemporary tensions.
The New York Times - 12m
The Gaza ceasefire must be restored

Donald Trump is the one world leader with significant leverage over Israel’s premier
Financial Times - 27m
Trump to dramatically downsize education department but it will still handle student loans, says White House – live

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says DoE will be ‘much smaller’ due to executive order Trump will sign as critics say it is ‘dark day’ for US children. Revealed: Trump education cuts mean years ...
The Guardian - 34m
Man Last Seen With Missing Student Leaves the Dominican Republic

The man, Joshua Steven Riibe, was never named as a suspect in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, but he said he had not been allowed to leave the Dominican Republic.
The New York Times - 37m
Ben Jennings on Trump’s proposed US takeover of Ukraine’s nuclear plants – cartoon

Continue reading...
The Guardian - 43m

Sales of Vietnamese doll plunge over face marking like China’s ‘nine-dash line’

Topics

Related

China, Russia and Iran call for end to US sanctions and the restart of nuclear talks

Russia, China seek end to U.S. sanctions on Iran, resumption of nuclear talks

Dalai Lama says his successor to be born outside China

In Latin America, China is finally losing ground

Australia raises concerns with China over letters targeting Hong Kong dissident

China’s retail sales strengthen at the start of the year, industrial output tops expectations

'Filled with arrogance': China lashes out at G7 over statements on maritime security

Trump is targeting China-made containerships in new flank of global economic war on the oceans

China criticises Hong Kong firm’s sale of majority stake in Panama ports

More from The Guardian

Thousands protest in Israel over ‘attack on democracy’ by Netanyahu

EU ready to impose more sanctions on Russia after summit talks

Tesla backer says Musk must reduce Trump work, as 46,000 Cybertrucks recalled

Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of IOC as Coe routed in vote

US man released after being held by Taliban for more than two years

More in World

Violence Flares as Hindu Group Calls for Removal of Muslim Ruler’s Tomb

The Gaza ceasefire must be restored

Trump to dramatically downsize education department but it will still handle student loans, says White House – live

Man Last Seen With Missing Student Leaves the Dominican Republic

Ben Jennings on Trump’s proposed US takeover of Ukraine’s nuclear plants – cartoon