The Overseas Vietnamese Community in the United Kingdom (UK) gathered at the Chinese Embassy in the UK on June 8 to protest against China’s illegal placement of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The protesters firmly condemned China for seriously violating Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
This was the second rally of the overseas Vietnamese community in the UK opposing China’s actions in the East Sea.
They raised the Vietnamese national flag, photos of Uncle Ho, General Vo Nguyen Giap and various banners in Vietnamese, English and Chinese to affirm Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, insisting that China immediately move the drilling rig out of Vietnam’s waters.
The protesters condemned the perverse and inhumane actions of Chinese ships when they intentionally rammed Vietnam’s fishing vessels, Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance ships, causing damage to many ships and equipment.
The overseas Vietnamese in the UK said that they participated in the rally to express their patriotic spirit and readiness to contribute to efforts against China’s violations in the East Sea. They also asked British and international friends to stand together in condemnation of China’s actions and to insist that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty.
Mr. Andrew Green, a British teacher, said that he participated in the rally to support Vietnam. He also confirmed his view that Vietnam is a part of the international community so the international community, especially the United Nations, should clearly express its position in support of Vietnam.
During the rally, the organizing board read a speech in Vietnamese, English and Chinese to condemn China’s actions as violations of international laws. It called upon overseas Vietnamese people to look toward the homeland and to unite with the government of Vietnam in the struggle to protect the nation’s sovereignty and support fishermen, fisheries surveillance and coast guard forces currently protecting the homeland’s sea and islands.
The organizing board also presented a letter of petition, requesting that China respect Vietnam and called upon the overseas Vietnamese community to sign their names before sending it to the Chinese Embassy in the UK.
Following are some photos of the rally:
(Photo: Do Sinh/VNA)
(Photo: Do Sinh/VNA)
A foreigner wearing a red T-shirt with a yellow star, the symbol of the Vietnamese flag, to show his support for Vietnam (Photo: Do Sinh/VNA)
Children also participated in opposing China (Photo: Do Sinh/VNA)
Đăng ký: VietNam News