Vietnamese in Australia demonstrate against China VietNamNet Bridge – On Saturday afternoon, more than 200 Vietnamese people living and studying in Melbourne, Australia  and Australian friends joined a peaceful demonstration in front of the Chinese Consulate in Melbourne to protest China’s illegal rig in Vietnam’s waters. Protesters, including Vietnamese who have left the country for 35-40 years, young people who were born and grew up in Australia and Vietnamese students sang Vietnamese songs to show their patriotism and shouted slogans asking China to respect international law and to stop infringements of Vietnam’s sovereignty. "Respecting the territorial sovereignty of other countries is the basic principle of international law, particularly for the big countries. China has violated these rules," said Mr. John Hamilton, a lecturer of the Victoria University who joined the demonstration. At the demonstration, Joel Haire, a lecturer at the Swinsburne Economics University, showed his sympathy to the concerns and aspirations of the people of Vietnamese friends. "China is creating a bad precedent in international relations and you are doing the best you can – joining peaceful demonstrations - to raise awareness for the Australian people and the world," said Joel, adding that the presence of the two Australian newspapers - ABC News and SBS – at the demonstration is the initial success. "We are here to deliver a message to Vietnam that you are not alone," said Mr. Adan from the Swinburne University. Mr. Phan Van Danh, a Vietnamese Australian entrepreneur said, besides the peaceful demonstrations, he and his friends would enlist all communication channels to help Australian friends understand China's expansionist intentions. China’s illegal acts in the East Sea is not only the story of Vietnam. On Sunday, the Vietnamese community in Melbourne will also host a march from downtown to the Chinese Consulate, with the participation of about 1,000 people. Previously, Vietnamese students pasted posters in some universities and public places to protest the actions of China in Vietnam’s waters. Phuong Loan (from Melbourne)