China increases ships around illicit rig

June 23, 2014 | 19:36

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China on June 22 deployed some 133-137 ships, up 19 from Saturday, to guard the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 illegally placed in Viet Nam’s waters since early May, according to the Fisheries Surveillance Department.

China sends more ships to guard the illicit rig - Photo: VNA

>> China deploys six military ships to protect illicit rig

Of the total figure, there were 42-44 coast guard ships, 14-15 cargo ships, 54 fishing boats and five military ones, the Department said.

At 6:40am and 8:13am, the Vietnamese law enforcement forces detected two Chinese reconnaissance aircraft at an altitude of 1,000-2,000m in the West-Southwest and the South-Southwest area, about 12-13 nautical miles from the illicit rig.

Chinese ships continued following closely behind and disturbing the vessels of the Vietnamese law enforcement forces and were ready to ram and fire water cannon at the Vietnamese vessels right in Viet Nam’s waters.

Vietnamese fisheries surveillance vessels still retained their operation about 10 – 12 nautical miles from the rig and conducted communication actions requesting the Chinese side to withdraw the rig and escort ships out of Viet Nam’s waters.

Meanwhile, some 54 Chinese fishing boats, supported by coast guard ship coded 46102, formed a line to illegally prevent the Vietnamese fishing boats from fishing in their traditional grounds, about 35-40 nautical miles from the rig.

VGP

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