Three Chinese vessels made aggressive provocations on Vietnamese ships in the East Sea at 10pm last night, May 28. In order to avoid a crash, the Vietnamese ships split into several groups to outmaneuver the Chinese vessels.

The Chinese ships, however, continued their chase, reaching speeds of up to 30 nautical miles per hour. Fortunately, all the Vietnamese ships were able to escape to safety.

On the morning of May 29, ships of the Vietnamese Coast Guard and the Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries continued their efforts to approach the illegally placed oil rig, Haiyan Shinyou 981, in order to convince China to withdraw from Vietnamese waters. China sent two missile-bearing vessels to follow Vietnamese ships at a distance of four nautical miles. 

Chinese Coast Guard ship deters Vietnamese vessel

On the afternoon of May 28, China sent an aircraft to patrol Vietnamese waters nearby the oil rig.

As of May 28, Vietnamese ships did not detect any further movement from the Chinese oil rig. Still, China is maintaining a fleet of around 120 ships to protect the illegally-placed rig, which deter Vietnamese ships from approaching within 10 nautical miles from the oil rig.

Chinese fishing boats arranged into several groups to deter and threatened Vietnamese fishing boats, driving around 30 nautical miles.

Chinese military vessels divided into two groups, one to protect the oil rig and the another to create an operating protection space around the rig.

During nighttime operations, Chinese ships turned off their lights while approaching Vietnamese vessels. At the same time, spokesmen for the country alleged that Vietnamese ships were the aggressors.

Recently, the Vietnam Fisheries Trade Union made strong oppositions to China’s actions, which have resulted in damages of human life and property.

“China has actively attacked Vietnamese ships, especially those of local fishermen by in a number of ways, causing property damage and human injuries,” said the union’s chairman, Tran Van Quy.

He added that China should immediately cease their aggressions on Vietnamese fishermen and make appropriate compensations.