A photo of a young Indonesian who wears a red tank top with a yellow star – the symbol of the Vietnamese flag – and holds a sign that reads “Fight, Vietnam!” has gone viral on social media these days.

The picture has been shared when Vietnam is trying to request China to move its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 out of Vietnamese waters where it has been illegally placed since May 1.

The young man, Andreas Nathius, who is currently working for the International Labor Organization in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, shows his special and profound love as well as support for Vietnam by holding that sign and having himself photographed.

Nathius bought the tank top five years ago when he came to visit Ho Chi Minh City and wrote the sign by himself after learning Vietnamese from his friends.

“I love Vietnam as if it were my country and want to show it this way. I know Vietnam is a country which loves peace and I always hope that it will be safe and sound,” Andreas told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

He has been to Vietnam several times and has some Vietnamese friends. “I want to tell my friends as well as the Vietnamese people: You are not alone. We will always be there to support you,” he said.

Since being uploaded to the Internet, the photo has received huge attention and appreciation from many Vietnamese people, saying they would like to extend thanks to the Indonesian. The young man replies in Vietnamese: “No problem. I’m so happy…”

The Chinese drilling rig is located at 15°29’58’’ North latitude and 111°12’06’’ East longitude in the East Vietnam Sea, which lies well within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted.

China keeps refusing to withdraw the platform from the area despite strong opposition from Vietnam.

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