AKIPRESS.COM - Vietnam’s National Assembly released a public statement late on Wednesday urging China to withdraw an oil rig from waters claimed by Hanoi.

“China’s deployment of the oil rig within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone is a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty rights,” the statement said.

It is unusual for the Assembly to make public statements on foreign affairs, and more so on any confrontation with China, the AP said.

The relationship with Beijing, particularly regarding competing territorial claims, is also off-limits for state-run media.

Statements from the National Assembly usually stick to economic matters, with recent comments urging the government to stabilize the economy and contain inflation.

Vienamese authorities have struggled to control public anti-China sentiment following news of the deployment of the rig earlier this month.

Protests erupted across the country last week, with some turning violent. So far Beijing has said two Chinese workers were killed, although unconfirmed reports suggest the death toll was higher.

Thousands of Chinese citizens have been evacuated from Vietnam.

The National Assembly’s message on Thursday also addressed the Vietnamese public.

“The National Assembly asks government ministries and comrades across the country to unite to preserve political stability, safeguard security, social order and facilitate a comfortable environment to successfully achieve the country’s social, economic, security and defense targets,” it said.