The Vietnam Fisheries Society has called on fishery associations and fishermen to continue to go offshore and cooperate with law enforcement force in protest against China’s violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty. 

 Members of the Vietnam Fisheries Society gathered on May 14 morning to protest against China’s deployment of a drilling oil rig Ocean 981 in Vietnam’s economic exclusive zone and continental shelf. Photo by Nguoilaodong

The society said at a meeting held this morning that China’s deployment of a drilling oil rig Ocean 981 in Vietnam’s economic exclusive zone and continental shelf was illegal and runs counter to international law and is a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty.

According to chairman of the society, Nguyen Viet Thang, China’s violations have detrimentally affected and hindered normal activities of Vietnam’s fishery associations and life of local fishermen.

 Chairman of the society, Nguyen Viet Thang, called on fishery associations and fishermen to continue to go offshore

Vietnam has sufficient historic and legal basis to assert its sovereign over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos and sovereign rights over its economic exclusive zone and continental shelf according to provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Thang said that society strongly condemned China’s illegal acts and requested China withdraw its giant drilling rig Ocean-981 and escort vessels from Vietnamese waters.

"We will continue our fishing activities in our waters," the chairman confirmed.