A large number of Chinese ships continue to violently defending the rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, which is illegally placed in Vietnam ’s waters, by ramming and firing water cannon at Vietnamese law enforcement ships.

In June 2012, China's CNOOC illegally invited bids for nine oil blocks off the coast of central Vietnam. China’s aims and strategies have not changed then as it wants to control the East Sea and then share the Pacific Ocean with the US.

A large number of Chinese ships stationed around the HD-981 oil rig, which is illegally placed in Vietnam’s waters, formed groups of up to 40 and aggressively barred Vietnamese law enforcement authority vessels from approaching.

 VietNamNet Bridge –  As of June 1, it had been one month since China had deployed its illegal mobile oil rig HD-981 deep in the continental shelf and the exclusive economic (EEZ) of Vietnam.

China’s statements and actions to "monopolize" the East Sea, with the latest act of illegal deployment of the HD-981 oil rig deep in the exclusive economic zone of Vietnam, are irrational, and they seriously breach international law.

 VietNamNet Bridge –China’s deployment of an oil rig and its provocative activities in the East Sea will not do anything good for both Chinese and Vietnamese businessmen.

 The US opposes acts of coercion, intimidation and non-diplomacy in resolving territorial disputes.

 VietNamNet Bridge – China will suffer from diplomatic losses rather than gains from its illegal positioning of an oil rig in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone,

China manufactured the HD-981 rig in 2011 at a cost of almost $1 billion. Why is it now deploying this rig in Vietnam’s waters? The question was discussed by experts and scholars at a meeting of the Union of Scientific and Technological Associations.

 VietNamNet Bridge – President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group Christian Poncelet has critisised China’s placement of the Haiyang Shiyou -981 oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese remind themselves to keep calm and rational on East Sea issues. Vietnamese condemn only the illegal acts ordered by the Chinese authorities and they understand that those Chinese who love peace are Vietnamese friends.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam should pay attention to all its sea areas in addition to the area where China illegally installed an oil rig, said one official.

On Friday China raised the number of ships to protect the HD-981 rig that is anchored illegally in Vietnam's waters from 99 to 126 units, mainly iron fishing ships, said Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, Deputy Director of the Fishery Control Department.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The international community has continued to raise its voice, to protest against China's illegal deployment of an oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

 German press criticises China’s East Sea aggression; East sea tension triggered by China is viewpoint of many countries; Mongolians strongly condemn China’s actions; Washington Post asserts Chinese aggression challenges world order

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam will use all peaceful measures as stipulated in the United Nations Charter and international law to safeguard its rights and interests in the East Sea,

 VietNamNet Bridge - After being attacked by Chinese marine surveillance ships, Vietnamese ships counterattacked. The confrontation took place over more than an hour, reported Tuoi Tre Daily.

 HCM City’s External Relations Department on May 12 called in a representative of the Chinese Consulate General to protest against China’s unilateral deployment of its drilling rig Ocean-981 and escort vessels in Vietnam’s territorial waters.

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese people in the United States, Italy, Japan and Germany took part in demonstrations against China’s deployment of an illegal oil rig in Vietnam’s waters.

 The US protests against actions that affect freedom, security and maritime safety, as well as the use of force or threat to use force.