As many as 24 of Viet Nam’s law enforcement ships have been damaged and 12 fisheries surveillance officials have been injured by the Chinese side in the last month, revealed Ngo Ngoc Thu, Vice Commander and Chief of Staff of the Viet Nam Coast Guard at an international press conference in Ha Noi on June 5.

Overview of the press conference. Photo: VNA

He stated that of the total, 19 fisheries surveillance ships and five coast guard vessels of Viet Nam were destroyed after being rammed and fired with water cannons while performing their mission of demanding China withdraw its rig, named Haiyang Shiyou-981, from Viet Nam’s waters, where it is illegally standing.

According to Tran Duy Hai, Deputy Head of the National Border Committee, during the past month since China illegally placed its oil rig in Viet Nam’s waters, there have been more than 30 talks in different forms between the two sides.

Ignoring Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, China not only continued their illegal actions but also gave a negative response by slandering and blaming Viet Nam, he said.

More dangerously, China has even expanded the operation of the rig by moving it to a new location which is still completely inside Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, while continuing to send more ships to defend it, Hai emphasised.

On May 26, a Chinese vessel took the inhumane action of sinking Vietnamese fishing boat DNa 90152 and hindering other Vietnamese ships trying to rescue the fishermen on board.

On June 1, Chinese vessels seriously destroyed ship 2016 of the Vietnam Coast Guard, causing four holes on its right side and nearly sinking it, he said, adding that China’s actions intensified tensions in the East Sea , seriously threatening peace, stability, freedom of navigation and maritime security and safety in the region, and worrying the international community.

Vietnam has sent three diplomatic notes to the Chinese Foreign Ministry to demand China respect international law and immediately stop its violations of Viet Nam’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, he said.

“However, China still ignores Vietnam’s request,” Hai stated.

(Source: VNA/ Danang Today)