» 07/12/2011 15:34 VIETNAM Vietnamese police cracks down on pro-national sovereignty protests by Kelly-Ann Nguyen The authorities’ attack was particularly harsh last Sunday on people peacefully demonstrating against China’s strong-arm tactics and violent behaviour. Catholics are especially concerned by the authorities’ possible acquiescence towards China’s model of ‘patriotic Church’.
Hanoi (AsiaNews) – The crackdown by Vietnamese police of Sunday’s ‘patriotic demonstration’ against China’s show of force and violence in the South China Sea was particularly hard. Security forces used thugs to beat up peaceful demonstrators and disperse the patriotic crowd that had come together to defend their country against Chinese expansion. Some suggest that Chinese officials were present at the demonstration to monitor the efforts of Vietnamese police in handling protesters.
Since 5 June, anti-Chinese demonstrations have been staged every Sunday across Vietnam, this despite threats, arrests and violence by the authorities. The controversial issue of sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands is at the heart of the protest movement. Protests were sparked by an incident involving Chinese Coast Guard vessels cutting the cables of Vietnamese seismic research ships on 26 May and 9 June. Another incident occurred on 30 June but a Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied any knowledge of the event.
Chinese boats are routinely present in Vietnamese waters and Vietnamese fishermen are regularly killed as a result of this presence, which constitutes a constant threat and danger for those, from Da Nang and Phu Yen, who have fished for generations along Vietnam’s coastline.
Despite state media silence, tensions are growing. The authorities appear in fact more interested in stymieing fishermen’s anger and citizens’ concerns with repeated promises that the controversy would be settled through “diplomatic means”.
However, thanks to overseas Vietnamese websites, more and more Vietnamese are joining the protest movement, challenging the government to provide more accurate information about the issue.
An unusual historic petition has been filed in order to know what is in an agreement signed on 25 June by Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and Chinese officials. Initially, the Foreign Ministry had agreed to answer questions about the deal but later retracted saying that information would be provided at a later, unspecified date.
Vietnam’s Catholic community is following the matter with special interest, not only because of its impact on their homeland, but also because they fear the Vietnamese government might be trying to import China’s model of Patriotic associations. In fact, they point the finger at the Vietnam Committee for Catholic Solidarity, which has tried to drive the faithful away from their Church.
Their biggest fear is to see the rich, undefeatable history of the Vietnamese Church wiped out by Chinese aggression and domination.
