Chinese ships of various kinds on June 26 formed a line coming threateningly close to restrain Vietnamese ships from undertaking their normal law enforcement missions in Vietnam’s waters, reported the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

About 40 Chinese fishing vessels, supported by two coast guard ships coded 46102 and 46106, continued to stop Vietnamese fishing boats from fishing in the area near the Chinese Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig which is illegally standing in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf

According to the department, on the day, China maintained about 117-121 ships of different kinds, including coast guard, cargo and military ships, tugboats and fishing vessels, to defend the rig. They simultaneously speeded up, sounded their horns, and were ready to ram against Vietnam’s law enforcement vessels, which were operating 11-12 nautical miles from the rig.

In the morning, a reconnaissance aircraft and two fighter jets were seen flying at the height of 500-1500m above the rig and Vietnamese ships.

However, Vietnamese fisheries surveillance ships tried to approach the rig at a distance of 9.5-10.5 nautical miles to continue performing their missions in the area, demanding China immediately remove its rig and ships out of Vietnam’s waters.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s fishing vessels still conducted their normal operations at their traditional fishing grounds, said the department.

At the beginning of May 2014, China illegally dispatched the rig as well as a large fleet of armed vessels, military ships and aircraft to Vietnam’s waters and positioned the rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude, 80 miles deep into Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

Despite Vietnam’s protest, China expanded its scale of operation and moved the rig to 15 degrees 33 minutes 36 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 34 minutes 11 seconds east longitude, 60 nautical miles deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

Ever since the tensions began, Vietnam has exercised the utmost restraint, shown every gesture of goodwill and exhausted all dialogue channels to communicate with Chinese authorities of different levels in order to express protest and demand China immediately withdraw its rig and armed and military vessels from Vietnam’s waters.

Nevertheless, up to now, China has failed to respond to Vietnam’s legitimate demand. On the contrary, it has been slandering and blaming Vietnam while continuing to escalate the use of force and violations in an increasingly dangerous and serious manner.

By encircling, chasing, ramming and firing water cannons at Vietnamese boats, they have injured many sailors and fishermen, threatening their safety.

VNA/VNN