Vietnamese fisheries surveillance ships on July 9 continued to approach China’s oil rig that is standing illegal in Viet Nam’s waters to carry out communication works to demand China to withdraw its platform.

A Chinese coast guard ship (back) deliberately accelerates to hinder a Vietnamese ship (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnam Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department reported that during the day, China sent 103 – 110 vessels to protect the rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, including 40 – 42 coast guard ships, 17 – 18 cargo ships, 16 – 18 tugboats, 26 – 28 fishing vessels, and four military vessels.

When Vietnamese ships got to a distance of 10-11 nautical miles from the rig to perform their duties, Chinese vessels lined up and accelerated to get as close as 200 – 300 metres to hinder them from moving nearer to the rig.

Meanwhile, Chinese fishing vessels backed by two coast guard vessels and two cargo ships deliberately obstructed Vietnamese fishing boats, which were working normally at their traditional fishing grounds 42 – 45 nautical miles from the rig.

Braving such acts of the Chinese side, Viet Nam’s fisheries surveillance and fishing ships persistently went on with their operation.

(Source: VNA)