China on June 8 published a misleading article, fabricating events and distorting the truth behind what is really happening in the East Sea.

A Chinese ship changed its direction and intentionally rammed a Vietnamese boat

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted the article on its website to defend China’s sovereign claim over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and illegal operation of its floating drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The story covers up the truth that China used force to illegally occupy Vietnam’s Paracel archipelago in 1974. It also avoids mentioning the so-called ‘nine-dash line’ which has been described as groundless by the international community in recent times.

Together with incorrect and unconvincing arguments, the article attempts to defend its illegal placement of the oil rig in Vietnam’s continental shelf and even alleges that Vietnamese ships have disrupted the operation of the rig and rammed into Chinese vessels over 1,416 times.

However, it did not dwell on the barbaric act that China committed when it intentionally sank a Vietnamese fishing boat on May 26, leaving behind fishermen in distress.

At a regular press briefing in Beijing on June 5, reporters questioned China’s actions after Vietnamese media published a video footage showing Chinese ships chased and purposely rammed into Vietnamese boats, causing one of them to sink.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei could not provide an explicit explanation, saying it was an act of self-defence.

In its article, China for the first time pledges to work with Vietnam to properly address the issue.