It is 13 days since China illegally positioned its HD-981 oil drilling rig, escorted by a large number of vessels including military ships and fighter jets, in Viet Nam’s territorial waters.  Crew members of the Vietnamese fisheries surveillance and coastguard ships have persistently been demanding that the Chinese side immediately withdraw the rig from Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone.  The Chinese ships have intentionally rammed some of the Vietnamese ships, and also fired water cannon into them.  However, the crew members of the Vietnamese ships have upheld their determination to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty over its sea and islands at all costs, regardless of China’s repeatedly aggressive actions.

The Deputy Head of the Viet Nam Fisheries Surveillance Department, Mr Ha Le, said that the current situation in the East Sea is increasingly complicated as a result of China’s illegal actions.  He also affirmed that the Vietnamese fisheries surveillance ships are considered to be civilian forces who are fulfilling law enforcement missions in the nation’s territorial waters.  Crew members of the ships are responsible for safeguarding Viet Nam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the East Sea.  In addition, they are actively involved in protecting the country’s fisheries as well as helping the offshore fishermen who are fishing at sea. 

Currently, the Vietnamese fisheries surveillance forces are keeping calm to try to avoid confrontations with the Chinese side.  Furthermore, they are persistent with their demands for China to respect Viet Nam’s legitimate sovereignty as well as strictly obey international laws.