Chinese ships recently broadcast, via international radio transmissions, that Vietnamese ships should withdraw in the spirit of “mutual friendship”, while at the same time continuing their aggressive actions in the area.

A Chinese vessel (white) is preventing a much smaller Vietnamese ship from approaching the oil rig on the East Sea

In recent days, apart from aggressive and provocative actions which caused serious damage to a number of Vietnamese ships, China has continued their hypocritical propaganda campaign concerning the East Sea.

The Vietnamese Coast Guard has intercepted ship-to-ship communications from Chinese vessels saying that Vietnamese ships should withdraw from the East Sea so as to preserve “mutual friendship” and maintain peace.

In the context of Chinese ships firing water cannons and ramming Vietnamese fishing vessels, such claims are very ironic.

The Vietnamese response, on the other hand, has remained one of peaceful protection of its sovereign seas.

In contrast, the weapons of the Vietnamese ships are simple loudspeakers, used in an attempt to reason with the Chinese to withdraw from Vietnamese waters. But, from the radio transmissions, it appears that these methods are not working.

On the morning of May 30, China had more than 100 ships, both civil and military, surrounding the illegally-placed Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig.

Chinese missile-bearing vessels and gunboats also continued to patrol Vietnam’s seas. A DtiNews reporter also witnessed a cargo ship of unknown nationality moving into the area.

Chinese ships formed groups of seven to nine to deter Vietnamese ships from approaching within a radius of ten to 12 nautical miles of the oil rig.

Around from 40 to 50 Chinese fishing ships reinforced with metal aggressively threatened Vietnamese fishing boats from approaching 30 to 35 nautical miles from the oil rig.

As the number of marine altercations continues to increase, Chinese propaganda has not changed in pitch or tone. While they talk of peace and friendship, the Chinese vessels maintain an active campaign of violence and intimidation.