The pattern on the faces of Chinese toys caused a scandal in Vietnam (4 photos)
Vietnamese authorities spotted a disputed territory in the South China Sea on toys that China is claiming.
Vietnamese authorities want to ban the import of popular Chinese toys because of their new design. The thing is that a pattern has appeared under the eyes of the cute animals, which, according to Vietnamese officials, is very similar to the outlines of disputed territories in the South China Sea.
The so-called "cow tongue line" or "nine-dash line" that China uses to depict its territorial claims to its neighbors was first noticed by a Vietnamese blogger. After that, a real nightmare began. Residents of the country took a closer look at the pattern on the Chinese toy and began to boycott them.
This is what the "cow tongue line" or "nine-dash line" looks like, which China uses to define territorial claims in the South China Sea. In particular, these are the Paracel Islands, which Vietnam and Taiwan have claims to, as well as the Spratly Islands, whose ownership is disputed by the Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. The map with the "nine-dash line" was presented by the Chinese government in 1947
After the public outcry, the country's authorities also got involved in the problem. The official representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, Tran Huu Linh, said that products using the "cow tongue line" violate current regulations related to national security and territorial sovereignty of Vietnam.
"We have information about these products, and we will instruct the market management service to conduct an inspection," he told reporters.
It is noted that the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade has organized an inspection into the possible violation of the country's legislation. It will be difficult to prove this, so the toys will also be checked for toxic chemicals that cause cancer.
If this is trolling on the part of China, then it is brilliant, but most likely, the problem lies in the excessive suspiciousness of the population and authorities of Vietnam, who see what they want to see. Let us recall that earlier in Vietnam they banned the film "Barbie", which showed a world map with the Chinese demarcation line.
Yes, in this child's drawing the Vietnamese managed to see the "offensive image of the nine-dotted line"