Since the late 1940s, China has promoted the so-called nine-dash line in the South China Sea. The line, also known as the "U-shaped line" or "cow's tongue" comprises nine dashes.

The nine-dash line’s origin After World War II, China published a map in the late 1940s, showing a U-shaped line.

The image shows a crude map of the world, created with colorful ink or crayon. With Margot Robbie's Barbie character standing in front of it, an outline of land can be seen, labeled "Asia." Coming ...