Chinese ships of different kinds on June 28 continued to form a row against Vietnamese law enforcement ships undertaking their normal missions in Vietnam’s waters, according to the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

On the day, China kept 110-114 ships of various kinds, including coast guard, cargo and military ships, tugboats and fishing vessels, around its Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig which is illegally standing in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

About 10 Chinese vessels simultaneously sped up and were ready to ram against Vietnam’s fisheries surveillance vessels, which were operating 10-11 nautical miles from the rig.

As many as 34 Chinese steel fishing vessels, supported by two coast guard ships coded 46102 and 46106, continued to stop Vietnamese fishing boats from operating in the traditional ground near the rig.

From 5:20-9:00 am, a reconnaissance aircraft was seen flying 800-1,000m above the rig, then heading to the southeast.

However, Vietnamese law enforcement ships managed to ensure safety to continue their communication work to demand China withdraw its rig and escort ships from Vietnam’s waters.

With support from Vietnam’s Fisheries Surveillance ships, Vietnamese fishing ships remained in their fishing grounds to continue their work.

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.

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

VNA/VNN