(VOVworld)- Nearly 1,000 youths and university students in Thanh Hoa province joined a meeting launched by Thanh Hoa Youth Union to protest China’s illegal placement of oil rig Haiyang 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Nearly 1,000 youths and university students in Thanh Hoa province protest China’s illegal acts

The same day, the Hai Phong City’s Lawyers’ Association held a meeting to oppose China’s violation of Vietnam’s sea sovereignty. On Tuesday, a large number of Vietnamese people in Bulgaria marched to protest China’s actions. The Vietnamese Association In Bulgaria and the Bulgaria- Vietnam Friendship Association in Bulgaria called on people, international organizations, peace lovers around the world to continue protesting China’s illegal actions and supported Vietnam’s legitimate demands. The Bulgaria- Vietnam Friendship Association affirmed that it would raise objective voices in international arena, protect justice and international law especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and called on China and Vietnam to settle disputes through peaceful negotiation to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Rear Admiral Pascal Ausseur, Director for Asia and Pacific at the French Defence Ministry’s General Directorate for Armament, has stressed that stability and development in Asia will contribute to bringing prosperity and security for the world. He made the statement at a meeting with reporters in Hanoi yesterday. Responding to queries on the ongoing tensions in the East Sea caused by China’s action, the Rear Admiral said that the European Union had issued a statement expressing its concern over the Chinese act. France is one of the countries involving in drafting the statement, he said, adding that France, like the European community, wish that related parties seek to solve the matter through peaceful measures.

The India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee on Wednesday stated that China’s actions undermined friendship and solidarity between Vietnamese and Chinese people as well as peace movements and threatened peace, security, stability and cooperation in the region and the world. The Statement called on China to restrain, conduct negotiations and abide by international law. It said peace in Asia is being threatened and called on peace lovers to unite and condemn China’s illegal acts.

The Mongolia- Vietnam Friendship Association released a letter stating that China’s unilateral actions in the East Sea violated international law and threatened Vietnam’s sovereignty and regional security.

Under the title “China is creating a dangerous precedent”, the Italy’s Limes online newspaper on May 14 posted an article with information and graphics explaining to Italian people about the tension in the East Sea after China illegally placed its oil rig Haiyang 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.