China on June 9 continued perverting international law by sending two more military ships to the area around rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 that is illegally placed in Viet Nam’s waters.

China maintains six warships in Viet Nam's waters to defend the illegal oil rig. Photo: VNA

Chinese warships patrolling the site during the day increased to six, with two operating in the east, two in the west and the others taking defensive positions to the south of the rig, reported the department.

At the same time, about 36 coast guard vessels, 21 cargo ships and tugboats and 44 fishing vessels were also detected, together with one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft flying about 300-500m above the rig, stated the department.

Chinese fishing vessels, accompanied by two coast guard ships, continued to show their aggression by circling and ramming Vietnamese fishing boats conducting their normal catching activities in their traditional fishing grounds in Viet Nam’s waters about 38-40 nautical miles from the rig, it said.

The Chinese fleet formed groups and organised circles around the rig to prevent Vietnamese law enforcement vessels from approaching, keeping them about 11 nautical miles from the rig.

They also aggressively rammed and fired water cannons at Vietnamese coast guard and fishing vessels, said the department.

However, Vietnamese law enforcement authorities resolutely maintained their intensive activities close to the rig to demand China stop their illegal actions and remove the oil rig immediately from Viet Nam’s waters, according to the department.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese fishermen continued their work despite China’s intimidation, it said.

(Source: VNA)