A Vietnamese National Assembly official said that recent Vietnamese boycotts of Chinese products shows their patriotism in a negative way.

Mai Xuan Hung, deputy head of the National Assembly Economics Committee, said that the boycott goes against trade law and should not be supported.

Deputy head of the National Assembly Economics Committee, Mai Xuan Hung

“China currently is a big importer of many Vietnamese agricultural products such as fruit, rice and many others. We must clearly recognise that the Chinese people themselves are not guilty. The culprits are those who ordered the installation of the oil rig in Vietnamese waters, breaking international law. It is just and proper to show our patriotism at this time, but it must be done in a careful and intelligent way. There is no reason to refuse Chinese products.”

“Vietnamese pepole are known for their friendliness and hospitality, and in any case, we have to keep this tradition. We must meet this belligerence with measured, cultured behaviour. The boycott of Chinese products will have a negative impact on Vietnamese people in the long run,” he added.

According to him, Vietnam should continue its efforts to bring worldwide attention to the subject and show its resolute determination to preserve national sovereignty.

Recently, a three-star hotel in Nha Trang City refused to receive Chinese guests. A pub in the same city also did the same with a notice that “We will not serve Chinese until the Chinese government withdraws from Vietnamese territorial waters.”

In Hanoi, many supermarkets and shops have taken Chinese products off the shelves. Many people also set up forums to protest the Chinese violation as well as boycott Chinese products.