ACTIVISTS in Vietnam held a brief rally outside the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi Sunday, holding up a banner that said “Thank you Philippines. You have a brave government.”
The group was part of demonstrations in the Vietnamese capital to protest against China, after it rejected a recent international ruling that dismissed Beijing’s claims to much of the South China Sea.
Anti-Chinese sentiment runs deep in communist Vietnam but the country’s authoritarian rulers move swiftly to tamp down expressions of public anger, fearful that allowing such protests might embolden criticism of their rule.
Activists had used social media to call for protests in Hanoi on Sunday in the wake of this week’s ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, which found there was no legal basis for Beijing’s claims to vast swathes of the South China Sea.
The case was brought by the Philippines but the ruling has been a boon for other regional countries like Vietnam who also have competing claims to the strategic sea.
Authorities in the capital Hanoi were ready for protests on Sunday.
Plainclothes security forces were out in force, blanketing much of the city center and keeping a close eye on any crowds that might be gathering.
Throughout the morning around 30 activists were swiftly bundled onto waiting buses and cars by security forces after they gathered to hold a protest near the city’s famous Hoan Kiem lake, a common spot for demonstrations.
Some chanted “Down with China invasion!” as they were led away to detention.
Activists posted pictures on social media of similar flashmob rallies in southern Ho Chi Minh City with protesters riding around the city on motorbikes holding banners criticizing China.
Beijing lays claim to virtually all of the South China Sea, putting it at odds with regional neighbors the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, which also have partial claims.
China boycotted the PCA hearings, saying the court had no jurisdiction, and has reacted furiously, vowing to ignore the ruling and arguing it misinterprets international law.
Vietnam and China frequently trade diplomatic barbs over the disputed Paracel island chain and waters in the South China Sea.
China has encouraged patriotic citizens to visit the contested Paracels, which are known as Xisha in Chinese.
Such acts have deepened already simmering anti-Chinese sentiment in Vietnam while domestic critics accuse Hanoi of being too meek towards its giant northern neighbor.
At least three Chinese nationals were killed in 2014 when rioting broke out in Vietnam after Beijing sent an oil rig into contested waters.
A former lawmaker in the Philippines, meanwhile, said China has finished its three-kilometer runway in two reefs that can accommodate fighter jets and commercial airlines.
In an interview over radio dzBB, former Magdalo Rep. Ashley Acedillo said based on his last monitoring of the activities in the contested seven reefs, the runway in Mischief Reef and Fierycross Reef were done.
“These reefs are very crucial and they look like islands now because of China’s nonstop reclamation over the areas and construction of infrastructure. On top of having runways, the two reefs also can accommodate huge ships, especially warships. They have beefed up their naval and air power,” Acedillo said.
The seaport and runways would complete China’s plan to convert them into islands and military bases in months and years ahead, he said.
Acedillo said the two reefs were strategic in being made military bases so that China would have control over the routes used by international vessels passing along the West Philippine Sea.
In fact, Chinese soldiers were deployed to these reefs, he said.
“We cannot allow China to have the upper hand and claim the international seas and control the trade,” he said.