Vietnam on edge over China

HANOI, Vietnam – Vietnam’s prime minister sent a text message to millions of citizens urging them to act in defense of the country’s sovereignty following China’s deployment of an oil rig in disputed waters, but said that “bad elements” shouldn’t be allowed to engage in violence.

The message, sent late Thursday, didn’t directly condemn the riots that have broken out this week following China’s decision to deploy the rig off the coast of central Vietnam on May 1. Vietnamese patrol ships sent to try and disrupt the rig are currently locked in a tense standoff with Chinese ships guarding it.

Anti-China protests that started peacefully have ended in violence and vandalism this week, with 400 factories suspected to have links with China destroyed or damaged by mobs. One Chinese worker was killed and scores injured at a Taiwanese steel mill.

“The prime minister requests and calls on every Vietnamese to boost their patriotism to defend the fatherland’s sacred sovereignty with actions in line with the law,” the text message said. “Bad elements should not be allowed to instigate extremist actions that harm the interests and image of the country.”