Analysis - In Vietnam, distrust of government's China policy fuels protests


Vietnamese Catholics gather to protest against the Special Economic Zone's and cyber security's laws after a Sunday mass at a church in Ha Tinh province, Vietnam June 17, 2018. Photo taken June 17, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer NO SALES NO ARCHIVES

MANILA (Reuters) - Protests by thousands of people in cities across Vietnam are showing just how easy it is to unite public opinion and mobilise dissent when an issue has one key ingredient: China.

The demonstrations, which are technically illegal, sprung up for a second consecutive week on Sunday, stoked by fears that proposed coastal economic zones for foreigners would be beachheads for an invasion of Chinese businesses.

The Star Festive Promo: Get 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Interventions underway as water crisis intensifies in Johannesburg, South Africa
Carney plans visit to Tumbler Ridge as Canada grieves mass shooting
Ethiopia's central bank relaxes foreign exchange directive
Nipah patient dies inside hospital in India's West Bengal
Tanzanian PM calls for African cooperation in fight against cancer
Norway, France to finance more military support for Ukraine
Mali announces partial cabinet reshuffle
2 Ghanaian ministers involved in tragic road accident in northern Ghana
Egypt cuts key interest rates by 1 pct
French conservative Bruno Retailleau to run for president in 2027

Others Also Read