Vietnam has apparently used the Barbie movie as a political chess piece against what is described as Chinese territorial aggression in one of the strangest cases of geopolitical disagreement in recent memory.

According to the Vietnamese Government, a hand-drawn map in the upcoming triple-a film displays the “Nine-Dash Line”, a demarcation of China’s claimed territory in the South China Sea.

ANU international law expert Professor Donald Rothwell told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings the line has long been a sore point between China and its neighbours.

“Indeed, the Nine-Dash Line has been ruled as not consistent with international law by an international tribunal,” Professor Rothwell said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the strange dispute

Image, Warner Bros. Pictures