Vietnam issues ultimatum to anti-China protesters

Aug 18, 2011, 8:03 GMT

Hanoi - Vietnamese authorities on Thursday warned the public to stop protesting against China, saying 'hostile forces' were trying to damage relations between the two countries, Hanoi's People's Committee said in a statement Thursday.

The committee asked people 'to stop gathering, marching and forming spontaneous protests' in the capital after anti-China protests met for the tenth time in 11 weeks at the weekend.

The marches stemmed from people's patriotism and frustration, the statement said, adding: 'Recently, hostile forces from inside and outside the countries have been inciting people to demonstrate to cause public disorder in Hanoi.'

It said the protests caused political instability and had a negative impact on the state's external relations.

Authorities would allow 'necessary measures' against those who did not comply with the warning.

The protests have been calling for an end to perceived Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by both countries.

They were sparked when Chinese patrol vessels cut the cables of a Vietnamese seismic survey ship in the area and harassed another one.

The territorial dispute centres on the potentially mineral-rich Spratly islands, which are also claimed by Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines.

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