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

Chinese vessel fines water cannon at Viet Nam's law enforcement ship (Photo: VNA)

The department told the press on June 4 afternoon that China maintained 35-40 coast guard vessels, about 30 cargo ships and tugboats, 40-45 fishing vessels and four military ships at the site, along with a renaissance aircraft.

Chinese vessels kept on hindering Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance ships and driving them about 7-9 nautical miles away from the rig, it said.

However, the Vietnamese law enforcement vessels still persistently stay to protest to China and asked it to immediately withdraw the rig from the Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, reported the department.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese fishermen continued conducting their catching activities in their traditional fishing ground in Viet Nam’s water about 20-25 nautical miles Southwest from the rig, despite the aggressive attacks of about 30 Chinese fishing vessels accompanied by two coast guard ships, according to the department.

(Source: VNA)