Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has so far sent four mobilephone text messages to the local people till Saturday, urging them not to join "illegal demonstration" and ensure security and safety for the country.

On Thursday, after violence was sparked in parts of the country, Dung sent the first text message to local cell phone users, requesting and calling on every Vietnamese "to highlight patriotism and protection of the divine sovereignty of the country by practical and legal activities, not allowing bad people to provoke to do extremist actions, which can harm Vietnam's interest and image."

On Saturday, Dung sent three messages, saying "On May 17, the Vietnamese prime minister ordered the Ministry of Public Security, relevant departments and leaders of localities to implement unanimous measures, striving not to let illegal demonstrations happen, thus causing disorder and insecurity to society."

He also requested authorities to inform the local people of not joining illegal demonstrations.

"The prime minister asked the local people to show their patriotism, not following provocative actions, not joining illegal demonstrations, and contributing to ensuring security, safety and order of society," one of the message reads.

The violent anti-China protests and deadly attacks on Chinese companies in Vietnam came after Vietnamese ships and personnel repeatedly harassed the normal drilling operations by a Chinese oil company in undisputed waters off China's Xisha Islands in the South China Sea.

Dung on Thursday ordered the concerned authorities to take firm measures to prevent illegal activities, punish perpetrators, and ensure absolute safety of lives and assets as well as the normal operation of all companies, especially foreign invested firms.

China on Thursday lodged a solemn protest with Vietnam and voiced strong condemnation over the recent violence against foreign companies that has left two Chinese citizens dead and more than 100 others injured.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Vietnam bears unshirkable responsibility for the violent attacks against Chinese companies and nationals. He demanded Vietnam immediately take resolute and effective measures to stop all violence and ensure the safety of the lives and property of all Chinese nationals and companies there.
Newspaper headline: Vietnamese PM urges locals not to join 'illegal demonstration'