May 19, 2014

Anti-Chinese sentiment boils over in Vietnam

editor:	Vanessa Ellingham

Anti-Chinese riots broke out in Vietnam last week over long-standing territorial disputes, with two Chinese killed and 140 injured when Chinese businesses were attacked.

Today two Chinese passenger ships arrived in Vung Ang port to evacuate those fearing for their safety.

The protests, which are rare in communist Vietnam, are over a Chinese oil rig which is drilling in disputed sea space. The vietnamese government claims that there are also Chinese warships in the same area.

Another three vessels are on their way to Vietnam to collect fearful Chinese, according to Xinhua news agency, which reports that around 3000 people have already left the country.

290 people were flown back to China on Sunday on a special chartered flight, while 16 critically injured Chinese were taken by medical flight.