Chinese milk tea giant Chagee under fire in Vietnam, Malaysia for featuring controversial ‘nine-dash line’

In one photo, Chagee’s Vietnamese store, originally decked out in its signature decals and red branding, was seen painted over in grey, adding to speculation that its launch may not go forward.

In Malaysia, where Chagee operates more than 100 stores, social media users expressed their anger, leaving comments like “boycott Chagee” on the Malaysian branch’s official Facebook page. 

One Malaysian Facebook user, Jason Kee, expressed disappointment with the company for including the nine-dash line.

“If you don’t respect Malaysia then please (go back to China),” he wrote. 

The company has not yet issued any public statements or apologies on the matter. 

This incident follows similar past controversies involving China’s nine-dash line depiction.

This week, Chinese collectible Baby Three dolls were pulled from shelves in Vietnam over a marking on its cheek supposedly resembling the nine-dash line. 

The 2023 summer hit film Barbie was banned in Vietnam over a scene that showed the nine-dash line. 

China’s controversial nine-dash line claim encompasses 90 per cent of the South China Sea. 

Both Malaysia and Vietnam have overlapping claims with China in the strategic waterway.