Vietnamese ships on July 5 continued encountering the harassing obstruction by a large number of Chinese vessels running to defend their drilling rig, which is illegally standing in Vietnam’s waters.

 On July 4, China maintained the presence of five battleships, 48 coast guard, 15 cargo vessels and four tugboats around drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 that has been illegally standing in Vietnam’s waters since early May.

 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.

Many lawyers, scholars and reporters in Sri Lanka have expressed their concerns over the ongoing East Sea tension, sparked by China’s dispatch of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou - 981 in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone,

 VietNamNet Bridge – China must withdraw its oil rig from Vietnam’s waters and seek a diplomatic and peaceful solution to disputes in the East Sea, Ezequiel Ramoneda, coordinator of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies

 VietNamNet Bridge – Chairperson of the Italian Senate’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Pier Ferdinando Casini has voiced deep concern over China’s acts in the East Sea following its illegal placement of a drilling rig in Vietnam’s waters.

 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.

 VietNamNet Bridge - On Thursday, Chinese ships continued to impede the operation of Vietnamese vessels on duty in Vietnam’s waters, in which China is illegally building an oil rig, the Coast Guard Command reports.

Confirming to leave the ship after three days to save their lives, New Horizon's 20-member crew did sign an "ultimatum" to Vinashinlines, asking for an emergency rescue.