(VOVworld) – A meeting took place in front of the Chinese embassy in Mexico on Wednesday to protest China’s placement of an oil rig in Vietnamese waters. The meeting drew the participation of 100 leaders and members of the Mexico-Vietnam Friendship and Cooperation Institute, 8 media organizations, and a number of Mexican political and social organizations. Honorary President of the Mexico-Vietnam Friendship and Cooperation Institute, former Congressman Felix Castellanos read a statement condemning China’s actions, which seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. The statement called for peace and unconditional respect for the sovereignty of all nations.


The Institute urged Chinese leaders to respect the agreements signed with Vietnam and international organizations, particularly commitments to settle differences through peaceful means. It also called on the Chinese government to withdraw the rig and all escort ships from Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and end any acts of ramming to reduce tensions in the region. The statement asked the Mexican government and Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade to send a diplomatic note to the Chinese government with an appeal for peace in the region. It called on Mexico’s civil society to join the campaign for peace and sovereignty of Vietnam, which was initiated by the Mexico-Vietnam Friendship and Cooperation Institute.