This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
The animated film 'Abominable' has become the latest flashpoint in the long-standing dispute over China's claims in the South China Sea.
Released in several Southeast Asian countries, the film features a chart showing the 'nine-dash' line, which sets out Beijing's expansive claims to the flashpoint waters.
However, the inclusion of the U-shaped line has sparked a fierce reaction from rival claimants, including Malaysia and Vietnam.
Malaysia's film censorship board chief, Mohamad Zamberi Abdul Aziz, said the movie could be screened in the country 'with the condition that the map, which has become controversial, is removed.'
The film is due for release on November 7 in Malaysia, but Vietnam's main cinema franchise CGV has already decided to stop showing the film, calling it a 'serious issue.'
State media in Vietnam quoted the head of the country's censorship body as saying she was sorry for letting the error slip through.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin also weighed in on the issue, calling for the offending scene to be cut out and replaced with a lecture.
Locsin said the film's showing on Philippine soil would have a negative bearing on the country's integrity.
Malaysia's decision to cut the scene was seen as a sign that authorities could be taking a tougher stance towards Beijing.
Beijing has based its claims to almost all the South China Sea on historic documents, but a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling said China's claim was without basis.
