Chinese vessels have continued to take aggressive measures to prevent Vietnamese ships from approaching the illegal oil rig in the East Sea, one official said.

Nguyen Van Trung, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries said, on May 16, that China sent more of its fishing fleet to the the area surrounding the Hayang-981 oil rig, raising the number to 126 that day. China also continued air and marine military patrols.

Chinese vessels trying to prevent Vietnamese ships from approaching the oil rig

“Chinese vessels have rammed Vietnamese fishing boats passing near the oil rig. Chinese vessels also encircled and used fire hoses to spray official Vietnamese ships,” Trung noted.

When ships manned by the Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries were around seven miles from the oil rig, eight Chinese marine surveillance boats, together with several other vessels of different kinds, tried to deter the Vietnamese ships, ramming them and spraying water cannons. The Vietnamese ship was damaged.

The Chinese appear to have no intention of ceasing their aggressive activities. In one such incident, escalation of tensions was narrowly avoided during a standoff between Chinese and Vietnamese ships. As the Chinese boat approached, the Vietnamese Coast Guard was put on alert for battle readiness and Vietnamese authorities escorted the ship to safety.

Vietnamese fishermen continue to go out in the sea

Trung said that, despite Chinese threats and aggressive actions, Vietnamese forces have shown restraint, and are pursuing a diplomatic solution. There are currently between 30 and 40 Vietnamese fishing ships in the area of the rig, he added.