Photo gallery: Vietnam breaks up anti-China protests over the South China Sea
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Hundreds of Vietnamese protesters march during a demonstration demanding China to stay out of their waters following China's increased activities around the Spratly and Paracel Islands and other disputed areas, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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Vietnamese policemen run to block protesters as they march during a demonstration demanding China to stay out of their waters following China's increased activities around the Spratly Islands and other disputed areas, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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Vietnamese policemen try to stop protesters from marching down the street during a demonstration demanding China to stay out of their waters following China's increased activities around the Spratly Islands and other disputed areas, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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An anti-China protester (centre) is arrested by policemen and escorted to a bus during an anti-China protest, in this still image taken from video, in Hanoi on Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Anti-China protesters are moved to a bus during an anti-China protest, in this still image taken from video, in Hanoi on Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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A Vietnamese man wears a national flag while shouting at a policeman during a protest demanding China to stay out of waters claimed by Vietnam, following China's increased activities around the Spratly Islands and other disputed areas, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
Hundreds of Vietnamese protesters march during a demonstration demanding China to stay out of their waters following China's increased activities around the Spratly and Paracel Islands and other disputed areas, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
Vietnamese policemen run to block protesters as they march during a demonstration demanding China to stay out of their waters following China's increased activities around the Spratly Islands and other disputed areas, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
Vietnamese policemen try to stop protesters from marching down the street during a demonstration demanding China to stay out of their waters following China's increased activities around the Spratly Islands and other disputed areas, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
An anti-China protester (centre) is arrested by policemen and escorted to a bus during an anti-China protest, in this still image taken from video, in Hanoi on Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Anti-China protesters are moved to a bus during an anti-China protest, in this still image taken from video, in Hanoi on Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A Vietnamese man wears a national flag while shouting at a policeman during a protest demanding China to stay out of waters claimed by Vietnam, following China's increased activities around the Spratly Islands and other disputed areas, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
HANOI (AP) - Vietnamese police broke up anti-China protests in two cities on Sunday and made about 20 arrests in the first such demonstrations since tensions between the communist neighbours flared anew over rival claims to the oil and gas-rich South China Sea.
Any sign of popular anger in tightly controlled Vietnam causes unease among the leadership, but anti-Chinese sentiment is especially sensitive. The country has long-standing ideological and economic ties with its giant neighbour, but many of those criticising China are also the ones calling for political, religious and social freedoms at home.
