VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance Force ships have remained at the site of China's Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig to demand its withdrawal from Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as well as to ensure safety for Vietnamese fishermen operating in the area.

China sends a large number of ships to escort its Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig in Vietnam's waters. (Source: Vietnam Coast Guard)

According to the Viet Nam Coast Guard Command under the Defence Ministry, the number of Chinese military ships at the site remained unchanged from the previous day, while the number of Chinese fishing vessels increased from 15 to 40.

While moving around to the west-northwest of the oil rig, Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance ships were harassed by Chinese coast guard vessels.

One Chinese coast guard vessel attempted to ram into a Vietnamese ship, but failed as the Vietnamese ship managed to move back.

Between 8:55-9:05am yesterday, a Chinese airplane flew over two other Vietnamese ships, while Chinese fishing boats chased Vietnamese fishing boats and tried to interfere with their fishing activities. However, the Vietnamese fishing boats were closely protected by the coast guard and fisheries surveillance forces.

Yesterday, the Fisheries Surveillance Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that Chinese marine police ships attacked Viet Nam's fisheries surveillance vessels using hard objects and water cannons, while a Chinese fishing ship hit the rear of a Vietnamese fisheries surveillance ship.

Source: VNS/VNA