VietNamNet Bridge – It is legitimate to show patriotism and protest China’s illegal rig in Vietnam’s waters, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, but those who take advantage of this situation to violate the law must be severely punished.



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Some extremists provoked workers to go on strike and torch factories in the Vung Ang Industrial Zone in the central province of Ha Tinh on Wednesday evening. Ha Tinh police have arrested dozens of people for investigation.



On Thursday morning, in an urgent message, Mr. Dung said that in recent days the people throughout the country have demonstrated their patriotism by protesting China’s HD-981 oil rig illegal deployed in Vietnam's waters. This, he said, is a legitimate act.

However, in some localities, a number of extremists demolished production facilities of foreign investors and opposed enforcement authorities. The Prime Minister said "the situation is serious" because it caused unrest and affected business and normal activities of the people, as well as the investment environment and the foreign policy of the Party and the State of Vietnam.

The Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies to resolutely prevent and penalize those with violent, inflammatory behaviors that violate the law. He also asked proper authorities to ensure the absolute safety of the lives and property of people, and work to guarantee the normal production and business activities of enterprises, particularly foreign firms.

The PM also asked that people not to listen to the troublemakers and work together to preserve security and order, help each other to develop production and business, and defend the country's sovereignty in accordance with Vietnamese and international law.

In the past two days, tens of thousands of workers in many industrial zones have taken to the streets to protest Chinese aggression in the East Sea. Taking advantage of the situation, many agitators incited workers to burn factories and assault guards and foreign staff of foreign firms, causing disorder and chaos, especially in some industrial zones in Binh Duong and the Vung Ang IZ in Ha Tinh province.

More than 400 people in the marches in Binh Duong have been arrested. In Ha Tinh, dozens of people were also apprehended on suspicion of disturbing the public order, destroying property, and resisting law enforcement forces.


Le Ha