In an echo of previous German-based
protests against China’s dispatch of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou – 981 in
Vietnam’s waters, nearly 7,000 Vietnamese and foreign citizens on June 15
staged a third rally from downtown Berlin to the Chinese embassy.
 |
Vietnamese in Berlin protest illegal Chinese actions in the Vietnamese
exclusive economic zone
|
They marched from Alexanderpatz square in eastern Berlin,
and heard a German-language speech disclosing China’s wrongful and blatant acts
in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.
In response to organisers’ appeal, representatives from
Vietnamese associations across the cities of Rostock, Hannover and Erfurt also
voiced their unity with coast guards and fishermen at home.
On behalf of German residents, Chairman of the Germany –
Vietnam Association Siegfried Sommer and Chairwoman of Reistrommel Association
Tamara Hentschel spoke out against China’s aggressiveness in front of the
crowd.
China’s rig operation is unacceptable, wrongful and
shameful, Udo, a local protestor, said in anger.
The same day, in the Czech city of Teblice, over 100
Vietnamese Catholics and Buddhists from Praha, Brno, Pilsen, Tabor and Ostrava
prayed for peace at home.
Earlier, they also raised donations in support of Vietnamese
soldiers and fishermen.
Since early May, China has illegally operated the rig and a
large fleet of armed vessels, military ships and aircraft in Vietnam’s waters.
Despite Vietnam’s protests, China has expanded its scale of
operation and moved the rig to 15 degrees 33 minutes 36 seconds north latitude
and 111 degrees 34 minutes 11 seconds east longitude, which is 60 nautical
miles deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.
As of June 15, China kept over 120 ships of all kinds around
the rig, including 36-40 coast guard vessels, over 30-32 cargo liners and
tugboats, six military ships and 45-50 fishing vessels. A Chinese military
aircraft has also been flying over and around the rig at a height of 500-700m.
Source: VNA
