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Thousands protest in Vietnam over China oil rig Thousands protest in Vietnam over China oil rig
(about 1 hour later)
Anti-China protests have erupted at an industrial area in southern Vietnam amid tensions over territorial rows in the South China Sea. Anti-China protests have erupted at an industrial park in southern Vietnam amid tensions over territorial rows in the South China Sea.
Reports suggest some factories have been set on fire and looted, but it is not clear how many. The park's management said three factories were set on fire on Tuesday. No casualties have been reported.
The protests began on Monday night and gathered strength on Tuesday, spreading to other areas. They said protestors targeted factories owned or managed by the Chinese, and Chinese expatriates.
They came after China placed a drilling rig 120 nautical miles off the coast of Vietnam, in waters claimed by Hanoi. The protests come after China moved a drilling rig into waters claimed by Vietnam earlier this month.
The management of the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) said that protestors gathered on Monday in Thuan An town, in the southern Binh Duong province.
On Tuesday they moved on to VSIP's two industrial parks nearby.
A spokesman for VSIP told the BBC the three factories were set on fire on Tuesday night after workers had gone home.
Not all of the tenants of the three factories were Chinese companies, she said. Some Taiwanese companies had been affected.
Other reports suggested the violence was more widespread, with more factories targeted.
'Provocative'
Earlier this month, China moved its Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig to a spot 120 nautical miles off the coast of Vietnam.
The area is near the Paracel Islands, over which China and Vietnam have contesting claims.The area is near the Paracel Islands, over which China and Vietnam have contesting claims.
The move sparked bitter protest from the Vietnamese government, which demanded an immediate pull-out.The move sparked bitter protest from the Vietnamese government, which demanded an immediate pull-out.
Last week, several collisions were reported between ships from the two countries as Vietnam sought to block the installation of the rig.Last week, several collisions were reported between ships from the two countries as Vietnam sought to block the installation of the rig.
Ships have also been exchanging water cannon fire and dozens of vessels are reported to be in the area.Ships have also been exchanging water cannon fire and dozens of vessels are reported to be in the area.
Protests have been staged in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City over the past week. Vietnamese activists marched to the Chinese embassy in Hanoi on Sunday and again on Tuesday.Protests have been staged in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City over the past week. Vietnamese activists marched to the Chinese embassy in Hanoi on Sunday and again on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the US warned China that its actions were "provocative".On Tuesday, the US warned China that its actions were "provocative".
In a telephone call, US Secretary of State John Kerry told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the US had "strong concerns" over recent developments.In a telephone call, US Secretary of State John Kerry told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the US had "strong concerns" over recent developments.
Mr Wang, meanwhile, urged Mr Kerry to be objective on the issue, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said.Mr Wang, meanwhile, urged Mr Kerry to be objective on the issue, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said.
'Intentions not clear''Intentions not clear'
Beijing claims a U-shaped swathe of the South China Sea that covers areas other South East Asian nations say are their territory.Beijing claims a U-shaped swathe of the South China Sea that covers areas other South East Asian nations say are their territory.
The issue has been rumbling in recent years amid an increasingly assertive stance from China over its claims.The issue has been rumbling in recent years amid an increasingly assertive stance from China over its claims.
The Philippines on Wednesday accused China of reclaiming land on a disputed South China Sea reef in order to build a new facility - possibly an airstrip or a military base.The Philippines on Wednesday accused China of reclaiming land on a disputed South China Sea reef in order to build a new facility - possibly an airstrip or a military base.
Manila lodged a protest last month after images taken from the air showed China had been moving materials into Johnson Reef in the Spratly Islands, officials said.Manila lodged a protest last month after images taken from the air showed China had been moving materials into Johnson Reef in the Spratly Islands, officials said.
"We're not exactly sure what are their intentions there,'' Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told the Associated Press news agency."We're not exactly sure what are their intentions there,'' Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told the Associated Press news agency.
Ties between Beijing and Manila have deteriorated severely in recent months because of the territorial row.Ties between Beijing and Manila have deteriorated severely in recent months because of the territorial row.
Manila is taking Beijing to an international court over the issue. It also recently signed a security deal with the US allowing more troops onto its soil, in a move seen as reflecting the difficult ties with China.Manila is taking Beijing to an international court over the issue. It also recently signed a security deal with the US allowing more troops onto its soil, in a move seen as reflecting the difficult ties with China.