Vietnamese Protest Against China Over Sea Dispute A group of Vietnamese have demonstrated against China amid rising tensions over Beijing's claims to the South China Sea. The protest Sunday by about 150 people was watched over by police. Anger at China is a sensitive issue for Vietnam's fellow communist rulers, which are worried that popular ire at Beijing could also be directed at them. Vietnam and China have long sparred over who owns the South China Sea, but America's diplomatic tilt to Southeast Asia and China's growing assertiveness has focused attention on the issue. China's recent issuing of new passports containing a map showing the sea as belonging to it has also caused anger in Hanoi.