VietNamNet Bridge – On Thursday afternoon, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh issued a message addressing the recent demonstrations by workers against China’s illegal deployment of an oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.

Minister Bui Quang Vinh.

The message acknowledges that residents and workers in a number of localities recently held spontaneous demonstrations to protest China’s illegal actions in Vietnam’s waters. However some ill-intentioned persons took advantage of the situation to incite workers to engage in offensive behavior, causing losses for a number of foreign-invested enterprises and causing great concern among the community of investors. The acts have seriously affected the image of Vietnam as a safe, attractive and welcoming investment environment.

Minister Vinh states that state agencies at all levels have taken resolute measures to prevent the spread of such acts. Many agitators have been arrested for investigation and punishment in accordance with the law. The state agencies and the local governments have actively informed people and workers of the situation and urged them not to listen to extremists’ instigation.

All the people and the workers of Vietnam are responsible for protecting businesses and investors, both for the national interests and for self-interest, Vinh notes.

"This is a very unfortunate incident, and the central and local governments of Vietnam would like to sympathize with investors and businesses. The government and the Ministry of Planning and Investment have urgently requested local governments and the management authorities of industrial zones and export processing zones to take strong measures to quickly stabilize the situation, to protect the assets and production and business activities of foreign enterprises in Vietnam," Minister Vinh states.

In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that the Vietnamese government would ensure the safety of workers and foreign businesses in Vietnam.

Pham Huyen