Vietnam PM urges nation to ‘defend fatherland’s sovereignty’ in row with China
PM says bad elements should not engage in violence but stops short of condemning anti-China riots as he calls upon citizens to act in defence of Vietnam
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent a text message to millions of citizens urging them to act in defence of the country’s sovereignty following China’s deployment of on oil rig in disputed waters, but said that “bad elements” shouldn’t be allowed to engage in violence.
The message, sent late on Thursday and into Friday, didn’t directly condemn the riots that have broken out this week following China’s decision to deploy the rig off the coast of central Vietnam on May 1. Vietnamese patrol ships sent to try and disrupt the rig are currently locked into a tense stand-off with Chinese ships guarding it.
Anti-China protests that started peacefully have ended in violence and vandalism this week, with 400 factories suspected to have links with China destroyed or damaged by mobs.
At least two people have been killed according to the official Xinhua news agency and as many as 21 Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a doctor working at a hospital in central Ha Tinh province, with scores more injured.
“The prime minister requests and calls on every Vietnamese to boost their patriotism to defend the fatherland’s sacred sovereignty with actions in line with the law,” the text message said. “Bad elements should not be allowed to instigate extremist actions that harm the interests and image of the country.”