Arrests as Vietnam breaks up anti-China rally
HANOI — Vietnamese olice yesterday scuffled with activists marking the 974 Chinese invasion of a isputed island chain as hey arrested several people nd dispersed journalists.
About 100 people athered in central Hanoi for he 43rd anniversary of the Chinese takeover of the Paracel islands in the South China Sea -- territory claimed y both nations that remains diplomatic flashpoint.
In a rare act of public efiance in the communist ation, activists chanted Down with the invaders!" nd held banners against he "age-old enemy" near he capital's HoanKiem Lake.
Plainclothes police wiftly swooped in, natching banners away and auling at least a dozen eople into a nearby bus.
Journalists were nceremoniously ordered to eave the scene and turn off ameras.
Though Hanoi and Beijing routinely trade barbs ver contested territory in he South China Sea, Vietnam often breaks up nti-China protests to avoid toking anger from regional owerhouse China.
The Paracels remain a bitter bone of contention between the neighbors.
China has controlled the islands since invading them shortly after USbacked Vietnamese soldiers withdrew in 1974.
The attack left 70 Vietnamese soldiers dead.
Activists called on Vietnam to take a tougher stance with China.
"I think Vietnam must be determined towards China... to get back Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Islands," said activist Pham Van Troi, 46, using Vietnamese names for the Paracels and the nearby Spratly islands, which are also disputed.
Beijing lays claim to virtually all of the South China Sea, and has built up islands capable of hosting military installations.
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also sparred with Beijing over territory in the disputed waterway.
Tensions have eased slightly in recent months but the issue remains a potential global flashpoint.