Vietnamese in France protest against China's violation of Vietnam's sovereignty

Despite the cold, the Vietnamese community in France raised the Vietnamese flag and protested against China's violation of Vietnam's sovereignty.

Responding to the call of the Association of Vietnamese in France (UGVF), a large number of Vietnamese people in France gathered at Joffre Square, Champ de Mars, in the center of Paris to protest China's recent actions violating Vietnam's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and violating international law in the East Sea.

On January 23, Vietnamese people in France protested against China's violation of Vietnam's territorial integrity and international law in the East Sea.

In the cold January weather, Joffre Square seemed to warm up with the presence of many Vietnamese people from all over the world, including French and foreigners who sympathized with Vietnam. The atmosphere was bright and vibrant with the forest of red flags with yellow stars and banners, with patriotic songs.

The opening ceremony took place solemnly with the majestic "Marching Song". In the distant sky, at that moment, the sacred spirit of the mountains and rivers seemed to echo, as if calling.

In his speech at the ceremony, the representative of the Vietnamese Association in France emphasized: "Today, January 23, 2016, we gathered in front of the Peace Wall, Joffre Square, Paris (France), to demonstrate and call on the international community to resolutely oppose China's long-term and continuous encroachment on Vietnam's sovereignty, serious violations of international law, affecting the security, peace and freedom of movement of the region and the world, including France and Europe. This demonstration takes place in the context of the whole world being very angry and concerned about the recent dangerous provocations and expansions of the Beijing government in the East Sea that could lead to the risk of war."

This representative pointed out that China has recently brazenly placed the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig in front of the Gulf of Tonkin. In particular, this country has recently increased the construction of artificial islands on reefs, and two weeks ago, it conducted two consecutive illegal test landings of civilian flights on Cross Reef in Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago, violating the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He noted that at this rate, China will establish military bases, impose an air defense identification zone (ADIZ), threatening the security, freedom of navigation and aviation of all countries traveling in this region.

Then, the protesters raised banners, waved flags and chanted slogans protesting China's actions, calling for solidarity to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland, calling for international support and justice...

Sharing his feelings with reporters when participating in the protest, Mr. Ha Huy Cuong, who lives and works in France, said: “I am very nervous and excited because our community came in large numbers. In just a short time, the organizers have mobilized a very large force. Everyone came here with the same idea to express their opinions to the public and the world community about all of China's wrongdoings, which not only affect neighboring countries, especially Vietnam, but if they continue, international laws, recognized by China itself, can be violated at any time."

He expressed hope that the 12th Party Congress will propose strong reform strategies to make Vietnam stronger. That is the most solid foundation to protect the fatherland.

Ms. Thu Trang, who works in the cultural sector in France, said: "As a child living abroad, my spirit is always directed towards Vietnam. And the further away I am, the more important national unity I see. When we see that our territorial security is threatened, we, representing the youth abroad, are ready to participate, even if it is just a small action, showing patriotism, to protect the integrity of our territory."

Ms. Daniel Le Wis, who sympathizes with Vietnam and is upset with China's behavior, said: "That's why I came here, to express my solidarity with the Vietnamese people. I hope that this protest will call for stronger action against China's hegemonic ideology."

Before organizing the protest, many Vietnamese associations in France signed a joint statement protesting China's illegal test flights on Cross Reef, which they have arbitrarily built into an artificial island./.

According to VOV