China deploys six warships around illicit oil rig

June 10, 2014 | 08:20

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China on Monday increased the number of its warships to guard the oil rig Haying Shiyou-981 illegally placed in Viet Nam’s waters to six, according to the Viet Nam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

Chinese ships deployed around the illegal oil rig - Photo: VNA

China also maintained over 100 other ships, including 36 coast guard ships, 21 cargo ships and tugboats, 44 fishing boats, and one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft flying about 300-500m above the rig, the Department added.

The Department said that around 35-40 Chinese fishing boats, supported by two other coast guard ships, aggressively blocked and rammed Vietnamese fishing boats which were operating normally in their traditional fishing grounds within Viet Nam’s waters.

Chinese ships formed groups around the rig and stood ready to fire water cannons, ram into, and prevent the Vietnamese law enforcement vessels from approaching.

However, the Vietnamese law enforcement forces resolutely maintained their extensive activities to demand China stop their illegal actions and immediately remove the oil rig from Viet Nam’s waters, affirmed the Department.

VGP

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