Vietnam Breaks Norm by Covering Chinese Oil Rig Protests

Voice of America reported that although protests are usually strictly controlled in Vietnam, demonstrations relating to China’s deployment of an oil rig near the Paracel islands were covered by the state-run media. Hundreds took to the streets in Vietnam on Sunday to protest actions in the South China Sea in which Chinese and Vietnamese vessels clashing over an oil rig in contested waters, according to Voice of America.

As quoted in the publication:

In Hanoi around 500 people gathered in a park opposite the Chinese embassy – the biggest anti-China protest to take place here for many years. Some banners read “China back off from Vietnamese waters,” and “the Paracel and Spratly islands belong to Vietnam”. One poster, which was perhaps telling of the mood read: “We entirely trust the Party, the government and the People’s Army.”

One protester, Thanh, said she believes many people were worried about how the situation might escalate.

Click here to read the full Voice of America article.