Chinese vessels repel VN boats

Chinese ships have continuously encircled, constrained and driven away Vietnamese fishing boats and even injured Vietnamese fishermen, threatening their lives.— Photo vietnamnet

HA NOI (VNS) — China yesterday continued to maintain a fleet of 122 ships around the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 that it has placed in Viet Nam's waters, according to the Viet Nam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

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The department reported that together with four warships, 41 coast guard vessels, 16 tugs, 14 cargo ships and 47 fishing vessels, China also sent a reconnaissance plane to fly above the rig.
Chinese ships formed in groups of at least seven to hinder Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance ships, keeping them 10 nautical miles away from the rig.
The Vietnamese ship KN-630 was fired at with water cannons by a Chinese coast guard vessel, seriously damaging its equipment.
In addition, a group of up to 45 Chinese fishing vessels kept on disturbing Vietnamese fishing boats operating in Viet Nam's waters about 30 nautical miles from the oil rig, the department reported.
China kept a group of four ships on standby to chase, ram and fire water cannons at Vietnamese vessels.
Chinese fishing vessels followed and even used fishing nets to disturb Viet Nam Fisheries Surveillance ships, the department added.