After Filipinos, Vietnamese fishermen harassed by Chinese forces in South China Sea
Recently, Chinese vessels have tormented many Vietnamese fishing boats within the Vietnamese waters.
A number of Vietnamese fishermen have recently been harassed by Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, sparkling public indignation.
 Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: MOFA |
The harassment includes bullying and seizing fishing equipment in the sea around Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands, according to issues raised by reporters at a press conference held on June 20 by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
In response to the press, the MOFA’s Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said Vietnam strongly condemns the harassment towards the Vietnamese fishermen, demanding Beijing strictly punish the doers of those actions.
“On June 19, the MOFA worked with the Embassy of China in Hanoi to protest the activities and demand China to compensate for the victims,” Hang said at the press conference on June 20.
Beijing must educate its enforcement forces to avoid recurrence, Hang added.
She affirmed that Vietnam has jurisdiction and sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands. The Chinese vessels’ actions obviously violate the Vietnamese waters and infringe international treaties and the two countries’ agreement on maritime settlement.
Last week, a Chinese vessel was blamed to hit and ram a Filipino fishing boat, leaving 22 crew members in distress at sea. The fishermen were then rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat which was fishing in Truong Sa Islands’ Bai Co Rong (Reed Bank) which is also claimed by the Philippines.
Strongly protesting the ship sinking by the Chinese vessel, Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr at the United Nations on June 17 slammed the “felony” of abandoning persons in distress.
Regarding this issue, Vietnamese Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said at the press conference today [June 20] that the rescuing people in distress is the must do and quite normal. The Vietnamese fishing ship has assumed international responsibilities for working at sea regulated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which Vietnam has signed.
07:36, 2023/10/27
“Grey zone” activities cast a shadow over cooperation and peaceful prospects in East Sea
Grey zone activities augment the risk of confrontation, destabilize the governance of regional laws and orders, and undermine international laws.
22:51, 2023/09/21
Vietnam becomes one of first nations to sign High Seas Treaty
Signing the agreement signaled that Vietnam is an active and responsible member of the international community.
17:41, 2023/07/07
BlackPink concert threatened with cancellation over sovereignty issue
BlackPink's concert may be ruined after Vietnamese netizens found out that the organizer, iME Entertainment Group Asia, displays the nine-dash line on its website.
19:03, 2023/05/18
Vietnam opposes China’s violations in East Sea
Vietnam said it has the legal basis and evidence to prove its sovereignty over islands in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).
17:53, 2023/05/04
Issuing items with former South Vietnamese flag inappropriate for Vietnam-Australia relations: MoFA
The issuance of items in Australia sporting the flag of the former South Vietnamese regime drew criticism from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
18:26, 2023/04/20
China’s fishing ban violates Vietnam’s sovereignty: Spokesman
Beijing’s unilateral fishing ban covers areas including Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracels).
- Hanoi patriots recount memories of captivity
- Vietnam holds 1st International Arms Expo
- “Dien Bien Phu in the air” – the depiction of faith and resolution to victory
- Militia competition 2022 opens in Hanoi
- World Meteorological Organization removes Nine-dash line after Vietnam’s protest
- Vietnam calls for restraint on Taiwan Strait