Large numbers of Overseas Vietnamese
(OVs), including students, marched in The Hague, the Netherlands, on July 12
condemning China’s provocative acts in the East Sea.
This is the second time the
OVs community has peacefully assembled to demand that China withdraw its
illegally deployed Haiyang Shiyou-981 rig from Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.
While marching through city
streets, they hoisted national red flags high in the air along with posters and
placards translated in three languages – Vietnamese, English and
Dutch–condemning China’s actions, requesting it recognize and comply with
international law.
They distributed over 500
posters, protesting China’s violations and affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over
Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. They signed an open
letter opposing China which will be delivered to its Government via the Chinese
Embassy in the Netherlands.
The peaceful march received
a warm response from residents of The Hague and international friends, sending
an unequivocal message in protest against China’s actions.
Peaceful protest in
Hiroshima
Roughly 200 OVs in
Hiroshima and neighbouring prefectures including international Japanese,
Filipino and Thai friends staged a peaceful protest against China on July 13.
They placidly marched
through major streets in Hiroshima, carrying national flags, photos of late
President Ho Chi Minh and late General Vo Nguyen Gap, and posters, demanding
China respect international law, withdraw its oil rig out of Vietnam’s waters
and end its transgressions.
They stated that China’s
deployment of the rig and sending a large fleet of escort vessels, including
military ships and planes to Vietnam’s EEZ and continental shelf is illegal and
violates international law, as well as Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and
Truong Sa islands and Vietnam’s jurisdiction at its EEZ and continental shelf.
OVs participating in the
march, said they find China’s actions detestable and called on international
friends, including Japanese people, to support Vietnam in its struggle for
justice.
The march attracted great
attention of local people, international friends and the press, such as NHK
television, and Mainnichi and Nikkei newspapers.
Marchers raised funds
supporting the owner of a fishing boat in Danang, which was attacked and sunk
by Chinese vessels on May 26.
Some images of the march:
Source: VOV
