VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) yesterday, Oct 14, sent a diplomatic note to the Chinese Embassy, once again requesting co-ordination in the search for Boat QNg 66478TS and its nine-member crew as well as the sharing of any relevant information.

Nation urges China to release seized fishermen

MoFA spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga.
MoFA spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga.
The request was announced by MoFA spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga at the ministry’s regular press briefing in Ha Noi on the same day.

According to Nga, on September 11, 2010, the Chinese side captured Boat QNg-66478TS and the nine Vietnamese fishermen onboard within the territorial waters of Viet Nam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.

Immediately after receiving the news, relevant Vietnamese agencies investigated the case and found that the fishermen were legally fishing offshore the archipelago when they were seized. The boat was only carrying normal fishing gear.

MoFA contacted the Chinese side at different levels in Ha Noi and Beijing to seek solutions to the issue.

Earlier, the ministry sent a diplomatic note to the Chinese Embassy saying that China’s seizure of the Vietnamese vessel and its fishermen while they were legally fishing in Vietnamese territorial waters seriously violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty and sovereign rights. The ministry also demanded the Chinese side immediately and unconditionally release the fishing vessel and fishermen.

Last Saturday, China decided to release Boat QNg 66478TS. The boat and its nine fishermen, as reported by the Chinese side, left for home at 1pm on Monday.

However, by Tuesday morning, neither the boat nor the fishermen had arrived home. MoFA representatives met with Chinese Embassy staff in Viet Nam, asking the Chinese side to join hands with Vietnamese agencies to look for the boat and the fishermen.

On Tuesday evening, the Chinese Embassy said that the Vietnamese boat and fishermen had been released with sufficient fuel and equipment for the return journey. Boat QNg 66478TS started the journey at 1pm on Monday but returned shortly after that requesting more fuel.

The Chinese side agreed but advised the Vietnamese fishermen to stay for several days because of a tropical depression in the East Sea. However, the fishermen decided to depart and committed in writing that they would be fully responsible for their decision. The boat and fishermen set off on Monday evening.

The Chinese Embassy said that it would ask relevant Chinese agencies to co-ordinate in the search for the boat and fishermen.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News