Around 7,000 overseas Vietnamese in Germany and international sympathisers joined a march on June 15 to protest China’s illegal and aggressive actions in the East Sea.
The demonstration started at 2pm at Berlin’s Alexanderplatz Square and protesters moved towards the Chinese Embassy.
At Alexanderplatz Square, Le Hong Cuong, head of the organisation board of the event, delivered a speech condemning China’s increasingly illegal, aggressive and provocative actions since it has placed an oil rig within Vietnam's exclusive economic zones.
Alexanderplatz Square at 2pm on June 15
Cuong called on Vietnamese people in Germany and around the world to unite in support of Vietnam, Vietnamese fishermen and naval forces in protecting the border and sea areas.
He also appealed to Vietnamese people in Germany as well as German people and international friends to join hands to protest against China and denounce their illegal actions in an attempt to grab the attention of the German government.
"No War! Vietnam wants peace”
Representatives from several Vietnamese unions and associations from around Germany showed their support.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Association in Hannover, where another peaceful demonstration was organised the day before, Nguyen Quang Huong, a member of the Union of Vietnamese People in Germany’s executive board, granted to the organisers EUR3,230 collected from people in Hannover. The organising board has raised over EUR100,000 to support the effort of purchasing sturdy ships to protect the East Sea.
One German national, with a special love for Vietnam, said, “I am a great supporter of these peaceful demonstrations by Vietnamese communities in Germany. It’s unacceptable that China illegally placed their oil rig in Vietnamese waters. I just hope the problem is solved quickly and peacefully."
Marching through streets of Berlin
In front of the Chinese Embassy in Berlin, Vu Quoc Nam, Vice Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese People in Germany, made a speech condemning China’s illegal actions in the East Sea. He and two others delivered a letter to the Chinese ambassador expressing their wishes.
This is the third peaceful demonstration in Berlin held in opposition to China’s illegal actions in the East Sea. However, the last was the largest of its kind so far. The first draw the participation of an estimated 5,000 people.
