China asked not to hinder Vietnamese fishing boats in Hoang Sa
(VOVworld) – Relevant Vietnamese agencies reported that on August 1 and 14, two Vietnamese fishing boats from Quang Ngai near Hoang Sa archipelago had been stopped and looted by a number of Chinese ships. More seriously, on August 15, while fishing near Hoang Sa another Vietnamese ship also from Quang Ngai was stopped by two Chinese high-speed boats, whose crew illegally confiscated some property and beat the crew of the Vietnamese fishing vessel.
 |
In response to reporters’ question about Vietnam’s reaction, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh said: “On September 9, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry met with Chinese embassy representatives in Hanoi to hand over a diplomatic note of protest. This was an act of violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea. It runs counter to international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC), the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, and the common understanding of both countries’ leaders on humane treatment of fishermen. Vietnam demands that China investigate and seriously deal with such activities, not repeat them, and compensate Vietnamese fishermen.”